During the warm, long summer days, residents flock outdoors to enjoy backyards, beaches, parks and trails. BBQs and beach fires are a popular way to connect with family and friends during the warmer months. Here are some guidelines, rules and regulations to ensure your outdoor get-togethers are safe.
BBQ AND PROPANE SAFETY
Summer is all about “The Bar-B-Que”. Whether with family or friends, it is a time to get together and enjoy what cooking outdoors can provide. Here are some common sense DO’s and DON’Ts with regards to barbecue preparation and maintenance that will ensure your outdoor get-togethers are safe.
BEACH AND BACKYARD FIRES
The City of Campbell River bylaw regulation regarding recreational fires:
"Recreational Fire" means the burning of wood for recreational purposes in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 60 centimeters (24 inches) in diameter that is designed and constructed to confine the fire and is suitable for such a purpose, or within a fully enclosed burner or similar device. Recreational fires shall include fires used for the purposes of cooking food and the provision of heat.
Here are some tips for preparing and caring for your next beach or backyard fire:
- Do not light a fire or keep it burning in windy conditions. The wind may carry embers and spread the fire.
- Since fires are not allowed on park land or private property (other than your own), always light beach fires below the high tide line.
- Recreational fires must not exceed 24 inches (60 centimetres) in diameter.
- Maintain a fireguard around the fire –a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, driftwood, etc.) have been removed.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Be extra vigilant in supervising kids near the fire. Teach kids how to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothing should catch fire.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby for extinguishing the fire.
- Make sure that the fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area. An abandoned fire can become a dangerous and fast-moving blaze.
During hot, dry conditions the Campbell River Fire Department may restrict or ban the use of recreational fires. Visit Current Fire Restrictions for more information.
CAMPFIRES
Heading out camping? Careless use of campfires is one of the leading causes of forest fires. Wildfires threaten the lives of people and wildlife, destroy timber and other forest resources and costs B.C. in excess of $1.5 million annually to extinguish. With our recent trend of hot, dry summers, this danger is only increasing.
These Province of British Columbia campfire rules came into effect on July 1, 2010 and can be found in the material below.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION
Prevention means stopping wildfires before they start.
Visit the British Columbia Wildfire Prevention Page for more information.