Maple Ridge, B.C., July 9, 2024 – The Maple Ridge Fire Department has expanded the city-wide fire ban to include all open burning, including Category 1 campfires, to help reduce wildfire risk and for public safety and in line with the provincial fire ban.
The ban is effective noon, Wednesday, July 10, until lifted by the Fire Department.
Prohibited Activities
The previous ban issued on May 14 applied to Category 2 and 3 open fires and has been updated to include Category 1 campfires that are half-metre high by half-metre wide or smaller.
Fireworks, Sky Lanterns, Binary Explosive Targets, Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description, Air Curtain Burners, Tiki and similar kinds of torches and Chimeneas are also banned.
Exceptions
This ban does not include the use of outdoor stoves. As per the Wildfire Regulation, an outdoor stove is a CSA-rated or ULC-rated device used outdoors for cooking, heat or ambiance that burns charcoal briquettes, liquid fuel or gaseous fuel, and has a flame height that is less than 15 cm tall.
“We thank all residents and visitors for doing their part by following the fire ban as the safety of our community and our natural surroundings depend on our collective efforts,” said Dave Samson, Interim Fire Chief. “We greatly appreciate your cooperation at this time.”
Any person found contravening the fire ban will be fined up to $1150. To report a wildfire, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to: www.bcwildfire.ca
For more summer fire safety information and resources, visit MapleRidge.ca/Wildfire.
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For additional information, contact
Dave Samson, Fire Chief (Interim)
T 604-476-3053
E dsamson@mapleridge.ca