Fire Danger Rating - Bowen Island Municipality

Open Fire Prohibitions Now In Effect on Bowen Island

Most open burning activities are now prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction which includes Bowen Island. This prohibition is being enacted to help reduce human-caused wildfires and for public safety.

Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction. This prohibition will be in place until October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.

This means no fires, on either public or private property, at any time, for any reason.

Questions? Contact Bowen Island Fire Rescue on 604-947-9324 or email fire@bimbc.ca.

If you see smoke or are concerned about a fire near you, call 911 immediately.

The Fire Danger Rating is currently HIGH.

The Fire Chief updates the Fire Danger Rating notice board in Snug Cove as conditions change.

Open burning is not permitted between April 15 and October 15. Absolutely no bonfires, burn barrels, burn cages or fireworks.

Questions? Contact Bowen Island Fire Rescue on 604-947-9324 or email fire@bimbc.ca.

Restrictions based on current Fire Danger rating

A colour‑coded chart showing fire danger restrictions by activity. Columns are labelled Low (green), Moderate (yellow), High (orange), and Extreme (red). Rows list activities: campfires, barbeques, using a chainsaw, and blasting and excavation using large machinery, each with an icon. Campfires are allowed at low risk, prohibited in public places at moderate risk, allowed only on private property at high risk, and prohibited at extreme risk. Barbeques are allowed at low and moderate risk, restricted to propane in public places at high risk, and prohibited in public places but allowed on private property at extreme risk. Chainsaws and blasting or excavation using large machinery are allowed at low, moderate, and high risk, but restricted at extreme risk. Footnotes note exceptions during fire bans and that some restricted activities may be permitted with guidance from the Fire Chief.

What the danger class ratings mean

Low: Fires may start easily and spread quickly but there will be minimal involvement of deeper fuel layers or larger fuels.

Moderate: Forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution.

High: Forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities may be restricted.

Extreme: Extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts. General forest activities may be restricted, including open burning, industrial activities and campfires.

Source

Use of BBQs in Public Spaces

BBQs are permitted in public spaces and on beaches when the fire danger rating is LOW or MODERATE and restricted to propane only during HIGH. BBQs must be 75 cm or 29.5 inches off the ground and must have Canadian Standards Association or Underwriter Laboratories of Canada rating.

Campfires around Mannion Bay are prohibited year-round

The Use of Public Beaches and Water Areas Bylaw prohibits fires of any kind year round on the beaches around Mannion Bay, specifically Sandy Beach.

Campfires, when permitted:

Campfires (when permitted) are defined below by the Wildfire Regulation definitions are allowed as long as only clean, dry firewood is burned.

Campfire – An open fire that meets both of the following requirements (as defined in the Wildfire Regulation (s.1):

(a) the open fire burns material in one pile no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width;
(b) the open fire is lit, fuelled or used

(i) by any person for a recreational purpose, or
(ii) by a first nation for a ceremonial purpose.

Fire Safety
Be wildfire ready: Wildfire Prevention for Your Home and Community