The fire ban in the District of Mission has now been expanded to include the burning of charcoal briquettes in public places.
The ban has been expanded by order of the fire chief due to continued dry weather.
It applies to parks, green spaces, and the surrounding forest, including the Stave West forest and recreation area, and the Mission municipal forest (tree farm licence 26).
Gas and propane barbecues that are CSA-rated or ULC-rated are still permitted under the ban, provided the flame is at least 30 centimetres above the ground and the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
A ban was previously instituted on all open burning, including campfires, back yard fire pits and tiki torches.
Anyone found in contravention of the ban can be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
If the contravention casues or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
