Jul 14, 2026

Public Notice: Complete fire ban in effect July 16

Ladysmith, BC — The Town of Ladysmith is advising residents that all open burning activities (Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3 fires) will be prohibited effective at 12:00 pm on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

The ban will remain in effect until October 31, 2026, or until the order is rescinded.

As a result, the following activities are prohibited:

  • Campfires and open fires of any size
  • Fireworks and firecrackers
  • Tiki torches and chimineas
  • Sky lanterns
  • Burning barrels and burning cages
  • Binary exploding targets
  • Controlled air incinerators
  • Carbonizers
  • Wood-fired hot tubs, wood-fired pizza ovens and other wood-burning devices, unless vented through a structure with a flue and incorporated into a building

The following devices are still permitted:

  • CSA- or ULC-rated gas, propane or briquette stoves
  • Portable campfire devices that use gas, propane or briquettes, provided the flame height does not exceed 15 centimetres

These measures are being taken to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires associated with open burning activities.

The Town's decision to ban all open burning activities is aligned with the Coastal Fire Centre's open burning ban, which comes into effect on July 16 at 12:00 pm and covers most of Vancouver Island.

For the latest information on current wildfire activity and fire prohibitions, visit BC Wildfire Service.