The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) in collaboration with provincial public health partners and the B.C. Wildfire Service will not renew open burning restrictions for all High Smoke Sensitivity Zones across the province. The April 15, 2020 substitutions to Sections 19 and 20 of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation are no longer in effect. Pursuant to the Wildfire Act and Regulation, open burning prohibitions remain in effect for all Category 2 and 3 fires in the province. Refer to http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/ hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp for further information. Real-time air quality measurements and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/ air-land-water/air.

B.C. is currently in Phase 2 of its restart plan and is moving towards Phase 3. COVID-19 activity in the province has been low (see B.C. Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 dashboard https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a6f23959a8b14bfa989e3cda29297ded). Given these circumstances, ENV will not continue with restrictions at this time, but will continue to monitor the situation and work with partner agencies. The public is encouraged to follow Provincial COVID health and safety protocols.