{ "captured_at": "2026-09-03T13:49:17+00:00", "slug": "coastal-campfires-sea-lion-restriction-september-3-2026", "verdict": "Official prevention/access update. BCWS says Category 1 campfire prohibitions in the Coastal Fire Centre are rescinded at noon PDT Sept. 3, 2026; Category 2 and 3 open fires remain prohibited across the Coastal Fire Centre except in the Haida Gwaii Forest District, where those prohibitions are also rescinded. BCWS also says the Sea Lion Mountain area restriction was rescinded at noon Sept. 2, with burned-area and active-worksite hazards still possible.", "bcws_posts": { "coastal": { "title": "Campfire prohibitions to be rescinded in Coastal Fire Centre with further rescindments in the Haida Gwaii Forest District", "date": "2026-09-02T09:23:23", "modified": "2026-09-02T10:03:10", "link": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/campfire-prohibitions-to-be-rescinded-in-coastal-fire-centre-with-further-rescindments-in-the-haida-gwaii-forest-district/", "text": "PARKSVILLE – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PDT on Thursday, September 3, 2026, Category 1 open fire (campfire) prohibitions in the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction will be rescinded in all areas. In addition, the Category 2 (backyard burning) and Category 3 (industrial burning) prohibitions will be rescinded in the Haida Gwaii Forest District at the same time and date. Category 2 and Category 3 open fires remain prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction with the exception of the Haida Gwaii Forest District, along with the following activities and equipment: Binary exploding targets Fireworks ( Fireworks Act ) Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description Controlled air incinerators Air curtain burners Carbonizers A map of the upcoming changes is below and available online. To check BC Wildfire Service prohibitions in your location, visit our app or the online interactive map . There you can turn on the “fire bans” layer and search for your location of interest. The design and pattern of the yellow overlay corresponds to the prohibitions currently in place. You can also click the overlay and select “more details” for full information. 26 Coastal MAP S10S12 Prohibition Color Info 8X11L Sep 01 1330 Download BC Wildfire Service prohibitions apply to all Crown land that is outside of municipal boundaries. They also apply to the following types of land within municipal boundaries: Parks, conservancies and recreation areas ( Park Act ) Recreation sites, recreation trails, interpretive forest sites and trail-based recreation areas ( Forest and Range Practices Act ) Ecological reserves ( Ecological Reserve Act ) Wildlife management areas ( Wildlife Act ) Private managed forest land ( Private Managed Forest Land Act ) Municipalities may impose different prohibitions or restrictions based on local conditions. Please check with your local government before engaging in any activity that that could spark a wildfire. Although fire danger ratings have declined throughout much of the Coastal Fire Centre as a result of recent rainfall, along with shorter days, longer nights and cooler temperatures, the public is encouraged to continue exercising caution with the use of any open fire. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that burning is done in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with regulations. Anyone found in contravention of an open-burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150. They may be required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, may be fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. For more information on open fires, prohibitions and restrictions, visit: gov.bc.ca/saferburning . To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 tollfree, *5555 on a cell phone, or submit an electronic report through the BC Wildfire public mobile app . Stay up-to-date on the latest wildfire activity: Visit BCWildfire.ca Download the free BC Wildfire Service public mobile app or access the map and dashboard online Follow the BC Wildfire Service on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube Contact: Fire Information Officer BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre 250-951-4209 BCWS.CoFCInfo@gov.bc.ca" }, "sea_lion": { "title": "Area restriction rescinded for Sea Lion Mountain area", "date": "2026-09-02T10:29:55", "modified": "2026-09-02T10:29:55", "link": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/area-restriction-rescinded-for-sea-lion-mountain-area/", "text": "CASTLEGAR – The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Sea Lion Mountain wildfire (N41412) in the Sea Lion Mountain area. This wildfire is estimated to be 1,356 hectares and is located in the Sea Lion Mountain area, 27 km northeast of the Town of Golden. Effective Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon) PT, the area restriction issued for the Sea Lion Mountain area is rescinded . Fire behaviour and activity for the Sea Lion Mountain wildfire (N41412) has decreased and firefighting personnel no longer need to restrict public access to the area. Before entering any area affected by a wildfire, people should be aware that significant safety hazards may be present. Fire-damaged trees may be unstable and could fall down. Ash pits can be hard to detect and can remain hot long after the flames have died down. The BC Wildfire Service reminds members of the public that the Sea Lion Mountain wildfire (N41412) is an active worksite, and they should always exercise caution while travelling in the area. Although the area restriction has been rescinded, officials still have the authority under the Wildfire Act and its regulations to order anyone to leave the area. Smoke may still be seen within the fire’s perimeter over the coming weeks. Smoke appearing from well within the fire perimeter and burned material is common. However, smoke that rises from green, unburned fuel or from outside a fire’s perimeter should be reported immediately. Road closures and area restrictions are subject to change depending on fire activity. For the most current information please visit the fire prohibitions and restrictions section of the BC Wildfire website for the Southeast Fire Centre. The Southeast Fire Centre extends from the U.S. border in the south to Mica Dam in the north, and from the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains in the west, to the B.C.-Alberta border in the east. Report a wildfire The Southeast Fire Centre would like to thank the public for its continuing help in preventing wildfires. You can report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation by: Dialing *5555 on a cell phone Calling 1 800 663-5555 toll-free Reporting through the BC Wildfire App Report a fire function Reporting through the app lets you upload images and can be used without service Stay up to date with the latest wildfire news on: BCWildfire.ca BC Wildfire Map BC Wildfire App: Apple or Android Facebook and Instagram Contact: Fire Information Team BC Wildfire Service Southeast Fire Centre 250 318-7715 Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect ." } }, "emergencyinfobc_event_count": 30, "relevant_emergencyinfobc_event_count": 30, "drivebc_wildfire_event_count": 7, "drivebc_major_wildfire_event_count": 5, "selected_drivebc_event_ids": [ "drivebc.ca/DBC-93773", "drivebc.ca/DBC-93781", "drivebc.ca/DBC-93680", "drivebc.ca/DBC-93772", "drivebc.ca/DBC-93947", "drivebc.ca/RIDE-101642", "drivebc.ca/DBC-93854" ], "source_urls": { "bcws_coastal_post_json": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?slug=campfire-prohibitions-to-be-rescinded-in-coastal-fire-centre-with-further-rescindments-in-the-haida-gwaii-forest-district", "bcws_sea_lion_post_json": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?slug=area-restriction-rescinded-for-sea-lion-mountain-area", "bcws_coastal_post_html": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/campfire-prohibitions-to-be-rescinded-in-coastal-fire-centre-with-further-rescindments-in-the-haida-gwaii-forest-district/", "bcws_sea_lion_post_html": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/area-restriction-rescinded-for-sea-lion-mountain-area/", "bcws_latest_posts": "https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/wp-json/wp/v2/posts?per_page=20&_fields=date,modified,slug,link,title,excerpt", "fire_bans_restrictions": "https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions", "open_burning_defs": "https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/open-burning", "emergencyinfobc_home": "https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/", "emergencyinfobc_events": "https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/wp-json/wp/v2/event?per_page=30&_fields=date,modified,slug,link,title,excerpt", "drivebc_open511": "https://api.open511.gov.bc.ca/events?format=json&limit=500" } }