VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s wildfire service is imposing new open-fire restrictions across multiple regions this week as crews brace for thunderstorms expected to produce dry lightning and gusty winds that could ignite fresh blazes.
Where and when bans take effect
The Northwest Fire Centre will implement a Category 2 ban beginning at noon Wednesday. Under that restriction, open fires are limited to campfires less than 0.5 metres in height and width. The following day, a more stringent Category 1 ban is scheduled to come into force in the Coastal Fire Centre, affecting the south and central coast, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, though some forest districts are exempted from that prohibition.
Existing Category 1 bans remain in place in the Kamloops Fire Centre in the Interior.
"Warming and drying conditions are expected to continue this week, spreading further north and west across the province," the wildfire service said, warning that rising temperatures and low precipitation will dry out fuels and increase the likelihood of wildfire ignition.
Current fire activity and concerns
There are roughly 20 active wildfires in the province. Hundreds of homes near Boston Bar remain on evacuation order or alert because of the Brunswick complex, which has resumed elevated activity following a brief lull tied to recent rain and cooler temperatures. Authorities said they expect that heightened activity to continue through the forecast period of dry lightning.
BC Wildfire Service officials have cautioned that storms may bring lightning and strong winds but little measurable rainfall, a combination that shortens the window for effective initial attack on new ignitions.
What residents need to know
- Check local fire centre pages for details, exemptions and the exact timing of bans in your area.
- Respect Category 1 and 2 prohibitions: under Category 1, even small campfires are banned; under Category 2, campfires under 0.5 m are permitted.
- Prepare evacuation plans and go-bags, and stay alert for updates if you live in or travel through affected areas.
| Fire centre | Ban category | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Fire Centre | Category 2 | Noon Wednesday |
| Coastal Fire Centre | Category 1 | Thursday |
| Kamloops Fire Centre | Category 1 (existing) | Already in place |
Provincial crews say aviation assets and ground teams are on alert and prepared to conduct aggressive initial attack should numerous lightning-caused starts occur. The wildfire service also monitors lightning in near real time to prioritise patrols in known pathways.
For now, the central message from authorities is straightforward: with fuels drying and a forecast calling for lightning with little rain, limiting human-caused fire starts and adhering to official bans are critical to reducing the potential for new, fast-moving wildfires.
— Antoine Morin, InfoRadar
