The B.C. government is introducing a ban on most open burning activities in the province in an effort to reduce the impact of wildfire smoke on air quality and public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective April 16, 2020 at 12 p.m. the following is prohibited:
- Category 2 open fires;
- Category 3 open fires;
- Resource Management open fires;
- the use of fireworks;
- the use of sky lanterns; and
- the use of burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description (except when used for a campfire).
In an April 7 media statement, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development stated the “open burning prohibitions will reduce demands on firefighting resources and help protect the health and safety of the public, as well as BC Wildfire Service staff.”
The statement said the ban applies to all public and private land, unless otherwise specified (e.g. in a local government bylaw). The ban will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.
Information about the different categories of open burning can be found here.