All fire bans on Vancouver Island will be lifted on Wednesday at noon.
The Coastal Fire Centre, which includes Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky, Central Coast and Haida Gwaii, is lifting its Category 2 and Category 3 fire bans after rainfall and cooler temperatures led to decreased fire-danger ratings. The bans on burning brush, debris and other materials have been in effect since May 17.
Activities that were previously banned but will now be allowed include the use of outdoor stoves or portable campfires, fireworks, and sky lanterns.
The fire centre is encouraging people to continue exercising “extreme caution” with campfires. A campfire ban that went into effect in mid-July was lifted on Aug. 28.
Anyone creating a campfire should remove all flammable materials — grass, leaves, kindling — around the fire, avoid leaving a fire unattended and ensure fires are extinguished and ashes are cold to the touch before leaving, the fire centre said.
