The dry warm weather has prompted the BC Wildfire Service Coastal Fire Centre to issue a ban on Category 2 Open Fires. That means backyard burning, debris burning, and burn barrels are now prohibited.
Fire Information Officer Marg Drysdale says campfires are still allowed, but people need to be sure to put them out, and be careful with them.
"Monitor it at all times, extinguish it when you leave the area. You also have to take into account the local conditions. Just because you can have a campfire, if the conditions say it's too hot and too dry where you are, don't have one."
She also warns that grad season is coming up, which could mean parties, and instead of having a huge bonfire, having a few campfires is more manageable, and being prepared with shovels and water is a great idea.
Drysdale says anyone who has a fire should use the cool touch method before leaving the area, which means after being extinguished, the ground where the fire was is actually cool to the touch.
Drysdale adds that hopefully we get some rain in June, otherwise the conditions will continue to dry, and a full-on fire ban could be issued.