BC Government News Release: Off-road vehicles prohibited on provincial Crown land in many fire centres

Details from this Government of BC news release:

Summary:

• Off-road vehicle use for recreational purposes has been temporarily banned in B.C. as a wildfire prevention and mitigation tactic during hot, dry weather
• The temporary ban has been put in place in parts of B.C. as off-road vehicles can lead to unintentional ignitions that can spark wildfires

Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is temporarily prohibited throughout Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre, as well as parts of the Cariboo Fire Centre and Coastal Fire Centre.

During this period of extreme and unpredictable fire activity, the priority is public and first-responder safety and the prevention of human-caused wildfires. The operation of any off-road vehicles in these regions during the current wildfire situation creates a potential wildfire risk, such as unintentional ignitions that can lead to new fires.

Off-road vehicles include all-terrain vehicles, motorcycle, and off-road side-by-side vehicles.

This temporary prohibition of off-road vehicles does not apply to private lands or national parks. It also does not apply to emergency responders or to agriculture or commercial/industrial users who operate vehicles for farming, emergency response or business purposes.

August is traditionally the most active month of the wildfire season. Given the number of fires currently burning in B.C., the elevated fire danger ratings and the extremely dry conditions in many parts of the province, the BC Wildfire Service strongly urges people in British Columbia and visitors to stay out of the backcountry in these regions.

This is to prevent the potential for unintentional ignitions of wildfires that can be caused by backcountry activity and to mitigate the risk of being in the backcountry, where it can be more challenging and complex to receive support for evacuation if a fire started.

The BC Wildfire Service is continually monitoring conditions and evaluating the need for further restrictions. This temporary prohibition may be expanded or rescinded as needed.

Anyone found in contravention of this off-road vehicle prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for as much as $1,150. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a violation, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at: 1-877-952-7277.

Learn More:

• To learn more about fire centres in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/about-bcws/fire-centres