Coastal Fire Centre and Local Authorities Enforce Region-Wide Restrictions
Campfires, Backyard Fires and Beach Fires Prohibited Starting May 7
(Campbell River, BC) — Residents and visitors across the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will face a complete prohibition on open burning beginning Thursday, as provincial and local fire authorities move to reduce wildfire risks ahead of the summer season.
The Coastal Fire Centre announced that all open burning activities across the region will be banned effective noon on May 7, 2026. Local fire service areas throughout the district are simultaneously implementing their own full open burning restrictions, creating a coordinated region-wide response to heightened fire concerns.
“As of noon on Thursday May 7, 2026 campfires, backyard fires and beach fires are not permitted in any area of the Strathcona Regional District,” the notice stated.
“This means that no open burning is permitted at all.”
The sweeping restrictions apply to both residents and recreational visitors throughout the SRD, a region that includes several island and rural communities on British Columbia’s coast. The measures come as fire agencies across the province continue monitoring dry seasonal conditions and preparing for increased wildfire activity.
Restrictions Cover Multiple Electoral Areas and Rural Communities
Coastal Fire Centre Responsible for Several Regional Jurisdictions
According to the release, the Coastal Fire Centre will oversee enforcement and respond to burning concerns in several electoral areas within the district. Residents in the affected zones are being directed to report concerns through the provincial agency’s dedicated line at 250-951-4209.
The restrictions enforced by the Coastal Fire Centre apply to all of Electoral Area A, including Sayward Valley, as well as portions of Electoral Area B on Cortes Island that fall outside the Cortes Island Fire Protection Area.
The ban also extends across Electoral Area C, covering Quadra and Discovery Islands, with the exception of areas under the South Quadra Island Improvement District. In Electoral Area D, including Oyster Bay and Buttle Lake, the restrictions apply outside the Black Creek/Oyster Bay Fire Protection Local Area.
The coordinated approach highlights the overlapping responsibilities between provincial wildfire agencies and municipal or community fire protection districts throughout the region.
Local Fire Departments Issue Additional Public Reporting Guidance
Emergency Reporting Lines Activated Across Municipal Fire Areas
In addition to the Coastal Fire Centre’s enforcement responsibilities, local fire departments and improvement districts have issued their own reporting instructions for residents within municipal fire protection boundaries.
The SRD notice directed residents with burning concerns in the Black Creek/Oyster Bay Local Fire Protection Area to contact 250-830-7155, while concerns within the City of Campbell River should be reported to 250-286-6266.
For several smaller communities and island jurisdictions, authorities instructed residents to call emergency services directly through 9-1-1. These areas include the Cortes Island Fire Protection Area, South Quadra Island Improvement District, and the villages of Gold River, Sayward, Tahsis and Zeballos.
Regional officials said the multiple reporting channels reflect the structure of fire protection services across the district, where municipal departments, improvement districts and provincial wildfire agencies share responsibility for enforcement and emergency response.
Fire Restrictions Expected to Impact Recreational Activities and Rural Property Owners
Authorities Urge Residents to Stay Informed
The complete open burning ban is expected to affect a range of activities commonly associated with spring and early summer recreation across Vancouver Island and surrounding coastal communities.
Campfires on beaches and campsites, backyard burning and other open flame activities are now prohibited regardless of property type or location within the SRD. Rural property owners who typically rely on controlled burning for yard maintenance or debris disposal will also be required to suspend those activities until restrictions are lifted.
Officials are encouraging residents and visitors to regularly monitor updates from the Strathcona Regional District and provincial wildfire authorities, as restrictions may evolve depending on weather conditions and fire risk levels throughout the season.
“To stay informed and learn more about restrictions or which fire protection area you reside in please visit www.srd.ca/fire,” the notice stated.
British Columbia has experienced increasingly severe wildfire seasons in recent years, prompting earlier seasonal restrictions and more coordinated regional fire prevention measures. Authorities across the province continue to emphasize prevention efforts as communities prepare for warmer and drier conditions during the summer months.