Off-road Vehicles are Prohibited on Crown land throughout the Southeast Fire Centre effective immediately, Monday, August 10, 2026, including Fernie, the Elk Valley and South Country.
The prohibition has been introduced because of the scope and scale of wildfires currently burning in B.C. and elevated fire danger ratings across many southern regions of the province.
As of August 10, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land is prohibited. All on-highway vehicles must also remain on road surfaces as defined in the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation.
Off-road Vehicles are Prohibited on Crown Land
The prohibition applies to off-road vehicles as defined under the Off-Road Vehicle Act and Off-Road Vehicle Regulation, including:
• all-terrain vehicles
• motorcycles
• off-road side-by-side vehicles
The restriction applies throughout the Southeast Fire Centre, including the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and Selkirk Natural Resource District.
It does not apply to private lands or national parks. The prohibition also does not apply to emergency response operations or agricultural, commercial and industrial users operating off-road vehicles for farming or business purposes.
The restriction is intended to further protect public safety during the current period of elevated wildfire danger.
A map of the affected area is shown below.
