Off-road vehicle use has been temporarily banned in several areas as a wildfire prevention measure.

Effective at noon yesterday, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is temporarily prohibited tin parts of the Coastal and Cariboo Fire Centres, as well as the Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre.

The Province says 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.

Exceptions include that off-road vehicles (ORV) remain permitted in:

• North Island Central Coast Forest District
• Campbell River Forest District
• Portions of the South Island Forest District including Regional District of Nanaimo, Sunshine Coast Forest District, and Haida Gwaii Forest District

Given the scope and scale of fires currently burning in B.C., and the elevated danger ratings in many southern regions of the province, this prohibition is being put into place to further protect public safety.

The prohibition applies to all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and off road side-by-side vehicles.

The prohibition does not apply to private lands or national parks.

It also does not apply to emergency response, agriculture or commercial / industrial users who operate off road vehicles for farming or business purposes.

The ban will remain in place until October 9 or until the order is rescinded.

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.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.