Forest Use Restrictions

Forest Use restrictions refer to area closures or restrictions and activity restrictions necessary or desirable to limit the risk of a fire, to address a public safety concern or to avoid interference with fire control.

During the fire season, the BC Wildfire Service may consider implementing area closures or area restrictions for lakes or backcountry areas, if doing so will help address these issues. In order for wildfire suppression activities to continue safely and effectively, stay out of active fire areas. The Wildfire Act and the Wildfire Regulation grant authority to government officials engaged in fire control (including firefighters) to order all people to leave active fire areas.

Area restrictions

A Restricted Area Order, or area restriction, is a legal document administered through a local Fire Centre to prohibit access to areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities. They're established to limit the risk of wildfire occurring or to enforce the continued need to protect the public and emergency service personnel in active wildfire areas.

When a Restricted Area Order is established under section 11(2) of the Wildfire Act, a person must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act, unless the person enters the area only in the course of:

• Travelling to or from his or her residence
• Using a highway as defined in the Transportation Act
• Travelling through or entering the area as a person acting in an official capacity that is connected or involved in incident operations
• Travelling through or entering the area for a purpose approved by an official of supporting wildfire suppression activities

Refer to current fire bans and restrictions in your Fire Centre to see area restrictions that are in place.

All trails and backroads that are not included within the boundary of Restricted Area Orders, Evacuation Orders, or are otherwise under municipal jurisdiction, remain open for public use.