BC Fire Bans & Campfire Rules 2026: What Is Allowed Right Now

Published 2026-07-13 · FanVancouver Travel Desk

Fire rules in BC change through the season by region. Always do a 2-minute check of the BC Wildfire Service fire bans page on the day you plan any fire — this page explains the system and the current situation on the south coast.

A campfire ban usually lands mid-week, after the campsite is already paid for. The cheap insurance is a backup room you can drop without a fee: hotels with free cancellation →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Fire ban status right now, by fire centre

Pulled from the BC Wildfire Service open data feed at 31 August 2026, 18:31 UTC and refreshed automatically — this table is not typed by hand. A prohibition covers a whole fire centre unless the bulletin says otherwise, and it applies on Crown land, on most private land and in provincial parks. Municipalities layer their own, stricter bylaws on top: the City of Vancouver bans beach and park fires all year regardless of what the province says.

Penalty if you get it wrong: a violation ticket is C$1,150 on the spot. If the matter goes to court the ceiling is C$100,000 and up to a year in jail, and if your fire escapes you can be billed for the full cost of fighting it. Conservation officers do patrol campgrounds and lakeshores on long weekends.

Three things a prohibition does not ban, and this is where most trips get saved: a CSA- or ULC-rated propane or natural-gas appliance with a flame under 15 cm, a portable camp stove used for cooking, and an indoor fireplace or a cabin woodstove. If you want an evening fire during a ban, a propane fire bowl is the legal answer — bring the certification sticker, because that is what gets checked.

New bans can be imposed at any time if hot, dry weather returns — mid-summer campfire bans are normal in BC. The status above applies to provincial Crown land; cities have their own stricter bylaws (see below).

The legal rules for a campfire (when allowed)

• Maximum size 0.5 m high × 0.5 m wide (a “category 1” fire under the Wildfire Regulation).
• Clear a fuel break down to mineral soil around the fire.
• Keep at least 8 litres of water or a hand tool (shovel) within reach the entire time.
• Never leave it unattended, don't light in wind, and pour water until ashes are cold to the touch before leaving.
• During campfire bans, only CSA/ULC-approved propane, gas or briquette devices with flame under 15 cm are allowed.
• Fines: C$1,150 ticket for violating a fire prohibition; up to C$100,000 + costs of suppression if your fire causes a wildfire.

City and park bylaws (always stricter)

• City of Vancouver: open fires, beach fires and briquette barbecues are banned year-round on beaches and in parks; only propane/gas BBQs in designated picnic areas.
• Metro Vancouver regional parks: no campfires at any time.
• BC Parks campgrounds: fires only in the metal ring at your site, and only when no ban is active — hosts post the current status at the gate.
• Pacific Rim National Park (Tofino): fires only below the high-tide line in designated areas, and frequently banned entirely in summer — check with Parks Canada.

Report a wildfire

Call 1-800-663-5555 or dial *5555 from a mobile — free, 24/7. Track active fires on our live BC wildfire map (refreshed every 30 minutes from BC Wildfire Service data) or the official provincial map. For smoke forecasts during fire season, see firesmoke.ca. Planning a trip? Our camping guide covers where fire rings are provided.

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