The Tlell volunteer fire department was called out to extinguish a large beach fire late Thursday night (July 29), just hours after a burning ban was imposed on all of northwest BC, including Haida Gwaii.The fire department responded with two trucks and several volunteers, who put out the fire. The blaze had been started by a Beitush Road resident on the beach in front of his house.The ban, which took effect at noon July 29, prohibits all medium and large-sized open fires in the Haida Gwaii forest district to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. Specifically, it prohibits burning any waste, slash or other material, and stubble or grass over any area. It also prohibits the use of fireworks or burning barrels of any size or description.Campfires are still permitted on Haida Gwaii, but they are limited in size to a half metre by half metre. Cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes are also still allowed. People lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from the campfire area, and must have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water nearby to properly extinguish the fire.The penalty for being in violation of the fire ban is a $345 fine.