Campfire ban takes effect in northern B.C. amid soaring wildfire risk

Campfires will be prohibited across much of northern British Columbia beginning at 12 p.m. PT on Monday, as wildfire risk remains elevated due to record-breaking heat and dry conditions.

The ban covers the Prince George Fire Centre, which spans much of north-central and northeastern B.C. It extends an earlier prohibition already in place across the South Coast, southern Interior, and Cariboo fire centres.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said the restrictions — which apply to small open fires under half a metre high and wide — are designed to cut the risk of human-caused blazes. Outdoor stoves are exempt.

“Wildfire prevention is a shared responsibility. Human-caused wildfires are completely preventable and divert critical resources away from lightning-caused wildfires,” the service said in a statement.

Penalties for breaching the ban range from a $1,150 ticket to $100,000 fines and possible jail time. The prohibition is scheduled to remain in effect until Oct. 17, unless lifted earlier.

Larger open fires, including burn piles and stubble fires, have been banned provincewide since the summer. The South Coast has been under a campfire ban since July, where some violators were fined tens of thousands of dollars.

So far this year, lightning strikes have sparked 674 fires, while human activity caused 492 — showing people remain a major factor in B.C.’s fire season.

As of Monday morning, nearly 150 wildfires were burning across the province, including a cluster in the Chilcotin that has forced hundreds to evacuate. Air quality advisories remain in place for most of B.C. due to smoke.