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In British Columbia, a campfire, under the Wildfire Act, is a "Category 1 open fire" which means an open fire that burns pile material no larger than one metre in height and one metre in diameter and includes a campfire that burns such material.
When is a campfire allowed?
A Category 1 open fire is allowed when:
category 1 open fires are not prohibited under another enactment. Campfires are allowed as follows:
- it is safe, and likely to continue to be safe to have a campfire
- the person takes reasonable precautions to ensure the fire is contained
- the person watches the fire to prevent escape, and the person is equipped with sufficient fire fighting tools
- the person carries out fire control action if the fire does spread beyond the burn area
- the person ensures the fire is extinguished before leaving the area.
Where can I have a campfire?
Requirements for campfires apply outside of municipal boundaries and within BC Parks. Campfire regulations also apply in privately owned campgrounds outside of municipal boundaries.
There may be municipal and regional bylaws that restrict campfires. Please check with your local authorities before lighting a fire during the summer.
Do I need a burn registration number in order to have a campfire?
No. A burn registration number is not required for Category 1 open fire.
Before I start a campfire:
- Check to see if a Ministry of Forests campfire ban is currently in effect.
- During periods when forest fuels are dry and the danger of forest fires increases, the Forest Service may need to impose bans or restriction on the use of campfires to limit the risk of a wildfire starting or to address public health or safety concerns.
- Campfire bans apply outside of municipal boundaries and within BC Parks. There may be municipal and regional bylaws that restrict campfires. Please check with your local authorities before lighting a fire during the summer.
Campfire Safety suggestions from BC Hydro
- Contain campfires within the metal fire ring. The height of the campfire cannot exceed the height of the fire ring.
- Check if campfire wood is available. Try to preserve vegetation and ground cover around your campsite, dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
- Campfires must be supervised at all times by someone 16 years of age or older.
- Campfires are not to be lit during high winds.
- Please limit your use of campfires to cooking and warmth. They not only create a danger of forest fires, but the smoke from campfires pollutes the environment.
- Campfires may not be used to burn household refuse, plastics, rubber, asphalt shingles, construction or demolition waste or similar materials.
- Don't burn garbage in your campfire. The smell is unpleasant for you and your neighbours, and may attract bears into your camp. Unburned waste left in a fire pit is an unappealing discovery for whoever uses the site after you.
- Always make sure that your campfire is fully extinguished before leaving. Even days after having burned down, embers can stay hot and pose a hidden danger. Pull apart the logs and pour water over the coals. Even if this means repeated trips down to the river or reservoir, make sure that nothing is left smoking, glowing or hot.
Observe fire restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Forests.
To report a forest fire telephone 1 800 663-5555
