Campfire bans are coming on Thursday, May 7.
The province has enacted a campfire ban for the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes the Lower Mainland, and the City of Maple Ridge also banned all open fires.
Maple Ridge Fire Chief Dave Samson issued a city-wide fire ban on all open fires effective Thursday at noon, to help reduce wildfire risk and for public safety.
“Warmer, drier conditions have arrived much earlier than anticipated this season, significantly increasing wildfire risk across the region,” said fire chief Dave Samson. “Implementing this ban now is a proactive step to reduce the risk of human-caused fires and help protect our community. We appreciate residents doing their part to keep Maple Ridge safe.”
Fines of up to $1,000 can be levied to offenders.
The following activities are not permitted during the ban in Maple Ridge:
• Campfires
• Fireworks
• Sky lanterns
• Binary exploding targets
• Burn barrels or burn cages of any size or description
• Air curtain burners
• Wood fired hot tubs, wood fired pizza ovens and other wood fired devices unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is in a building.
• Controlled air incinerators
• Carbonizers
This ban does not apply to:
• CSA-rated or ULC-rated barbeques
• CSA–rated or ULC rated camping-type stoves or portable campfire devices using propane, natural gas or briquettes (when used on private property)
The city will revoke all previously issued outdoor burning permits as of noon Thursday, and no new applications for permits are being accepted.
Anyone with permit related questions or concerns can email Bylaws@MapleRidge.ca or call 604-467-7305.
Residents are advised to use alternative methods to dispose of yard waste, including dropping off at the Maple Ridge Recycling and Waste Centre at 10092 236 Street. Tipping fees apply.
The fire ban will remain in place until lifted by the fire department.
For more information provincial fire bans see www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions, or mapleridge.ca.