Provincial Open Fire Ban

WHEREAS the British Columbia Forest Service, pursuant to the Forest Practices Act of British Columbia, has the authority to prohibit open fires in the province, with exceptions being areas regulated by local government burning bylaws and privately-owned and commercial campgrounds; AND WHEREAS the threat of forest fire is considered extreme when such a ban is considered by the Forest Service and such a ban should be considered the paramount and ultimate word on whether or not fires may be permitted: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to amend the appropriate legislation to provide that when an open fire ban is established by the British Columbia Forest Service to be in effect province-wide or in specific areas of the province, that no other authority be allowed to supercede that ban even in areas regulated by local government burning bylaws and privately owned commercial campgrounds, without exceptions.