Image: Dreamstime / S'mores are back on the menu for the September long weekend, with a campfire ban lifted by the Coastal Fire Centre.

By Nanaimo News Now Staff

Coastal Fire Centre

Campfire ban being lifted for the entire Coastal Fire Centre, including Chilliwack

Aug 27, 2024 | 8:48 AM

CHILLIWACK — Recent rains are allowing the Coastal Fire Centre to ease some seasonal restrictions.

Effective noon on Wednesday, Aug. 28, campfires measuring no more than a half metre by half metre will be allowed across the entire Coastal Fire Centre, including the Fraser Valley and areas surrounding Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope.

The move comes after rainfall and cooler temperatures changed the landscape on the Island, as well as other parts of the Coastal Fire Centre, according to fire information officer Aydan Coray.

“There’s many factors taken into account when considering if we’re going to be taking off a prohibition, or putting one in place in the spring: current and forecasted weather conditions, the availability of firefighting resources as well as one of our factors called the ‘buildup index’.”

The “buildup index” looks mainly at available fuel on the landscape which could potentially burn, as well as some other factors.

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Campfires were banned for the summer in early July after a prolonged stretch with strong heat and lacking any substantial rainfall.

However, the situation has changed considerably in recent weeks.

Despite allowing campfires, as of Wednesday, other fire bans remain in place including larger open fires considered category two or three by the BC Wildfire Service.

“Those will remain prohibited until Oct. 31, or unless otherwise rescinded. Those prohibitions also include fireworks, sky lanterns, binary exploding targets, burn barrels, burn cages and air curtain burners as well.”

Coray said if anyone sees an unattended campfire or any other wildfire, they’re asked to contact the BC Wildfire Service at 1-800-663-5555.

Weather conditions over the September long weekend are forecast to be sunny, with daytime temperatures in the upper 20s to low 30s around Chilliwack.