Know Before You Go

Wildfire Smoke Advisory

Smoke from Mount Underwood wildfire by Port Alberni may affect air quality across our region. Conditions may occur depending on wind direction resulting in poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Further Information:
BC Air Quality Data & warnings: http://www.bcairquality.ca/
Island Health resources on how to reduce your exposure and stay safe: islandhealth.ca/wildfires

Cameron Lake / Wesley Ridge Wildfire

Although the Wesley Ridge wildfire near Cameron Lake is now classified as "Under Control" please monitor the situation and be aware of further updates such as evacuations and alerts as they become available.

• Details about the fire and BC Wildfire’s response - BC Wildfire Service.
• Stay updated on evacuation orders & alerts: RDN Current Alerts.
• Updates about Highway 4 visit DriveBC: DriveBC.ca.
• Sign up for free, direct emergency SMS (text), phone or email alerts, go to rdn.bc.ca/emergency-program.
• Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park partial closure: BC Parks.

Emergency Preparedness

Staying safe and informed is always a top priority. While Parksville Qualicum Beach is known for its peaceful beaches and natural beauty, we want visitors and residents to feel prepared in case of severe weather, emergencies, or natural disasters. Learn more.

Be Water Wise

The tourism industry in Parksville Qualicum Beach continues to undertake responsible business practices to help conserve water, and we’re asking our guests to do the same by following these simple tips that can make a big difference:

• Take a shorter shower
• Reuse towels and linens
• Flush the toilet only when necessary
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
• Where possible, keep a jug of cool water in the fridge instead of running the tap
• When dining out, consider ordering water by the glass, instead of carafe, to avoid waste

Every drop counts, and by recognizing our shared responsibility, together, we can support and protect the communities and resources that we love.

Open Fire, Prohibitions & Restrictions

NOTICE: Effective at noon Thursday, July 17, 2025, and until further notice, all open burning, including campfires, beach fires, and fireworks are prohibited. The fire ban applies to open fires of any size, including campfires, fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches and burning barrels. The ban does not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to any portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating using briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel, that are not capable of producing a flame longer than 15 centimetres. Portable campfire apparatus that do not meet these conditions are prohibited.

Always check for open fire prohibitions and restrictions (Parksville, Qualicum Beach, regional) and follow campfire safety precautions.

When permitted, all campfires must be supervised by an adult and anyone who lights a campfire must have an adequate water supply nearby to extinguish it. Fires must never be left unattended and must be completely extinguished before leaving the site for any length of time.

Beach fires in the Parksville Qualicum Wildlife Management Area are always prohibited by provincial legislation; this includes all beaches from Rathtrevor Beach to just west of the Little Qualicum River estuary.

Plan Ahead

Take more time to plan your visit. Many businesses and services across BC are encountering staffing shortages forcing them to operate at a reduced capacity, with limited hours, or require advanced bookings. Remember, everything may take longer than usual, or places may be closed if you don't check in advance. Have a Plan B researched and ready in case your first choice isn’t possible. We ask everyone to be patient as we address staffing shortages and train new staff.

Be AdventureSmart

No matter what outdoor activity you are planning, you must be prepared. Remember to follow the three Ts—trip planning, training, and taking the essentials. AdventureSmart is a great resource to get informed before heading outdoors.

Practice Leave No Trace

When exploring BC’s outdoors, always leave it in a better state than when you arrived.

Learn about the key principles of Leave No Trace, a set of seven guidelines for enjoying the outdoors responsibly while minimizing your impact on the landscape. Tip: Visit LeaveNoTrace.ca to learn more about responsible outdoor recreation.

Catch Up on the Camper's Code

The British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association has created a great resource for camping etiquette, here: CampersCode.com. The Camper's Code has 9 rules that are really easy to follow. When all campers follow them, these good things happen:

• Camping continues to be enjoyable for all
• Nature remains pristine and beautiful
• People camping in the same area become friends
• Animals stay wild and free