Campfire ban goes into effect 12pm on July 17, 2025

An open burning ban, including campfires and small recreational fires, goes into effect for North Cowichan at 12pm (noon) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. This ban includes all burning done or a fire set in accordance with federal or provincial regulations. 

This ban also includes the following:

  • Campfires
  • Category 2 open fires
  • Category 3 open fires
  • Fires burning woody debris in outdoor stoves
  • Tiki torches or similar torches
  • Fireworks
  • Firecrackers
  • Sky Lanterns
  • Chimineas 
  • Burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
  • Binary exploding targets (E.G. for rifle target practice)

This prohibition does not apply to CSA-rated or ULC- rated cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, so long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimeters.

As per Part 9 of Fire Protection Bylaw 2021, Bylaw No. 3841 https://www.northcowichan.ca/municipal-hall/bylaw-directory/fire-protection-bylaw 

Visit the Coastal Fire Centre web page for more information and details of fire bans in other areas.

For more information, contact:
Jason deJong, Deputy Fire Chief 
North Cowichan Fire Department
fire@northcowichan.ca