Ban on open burning in effect across B.C. starting Thursday

Starting at noon Thursday, most open burning is no longer allowed in British Columbia as part of an effort to reduce the risks of human-caused wildfires.

The ban does not apply to campfires but does prohibit the use of fireworks, sky lanterns and burn barrels. It covers all public and private land, unless otherwise specified by local government authorities.

According to the B.C. wildfire act website, the burn ban will support wildfire prevention and COVID-19 response.

"These open burning prohibitions will reduce demands on firefighting resources and help protect the health and safety of the public, as well as B.C. Wildfire Service staff," it reads.

"They will also help reduce the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic."

An open burning ban for high smoke sensitivity areas that was ordered earlier in this year remains in place until June 15.

On Wednesday, a slash burn sparked a wildfire near Squamish that has since grown to 100 hectares and led to evacuations and the declaring of a local state of emergency.

According to Ministry of Environment compliance enforcement officer Dan Bings, the burn that triggered the wildfire was likely not in contravention of the smoke sensitivity burn ban.

"It's not as comprehensive and wildfire act kicking in today," he said. "Typically things like rakings, prunings as well as grass fires... burnings of crop stubble and the like are exempted."

Anyone violating burn prohibitions can face a $1,150 ticket and additional penalties of between $10,000 to $100,000 if convicted, along with a one year jail sentence.