RDCO NEWS RELEASE
Open Burning Changes with New Provincial Regulations
Starting October, 1
st
, open burning will be allowed for those eligible property owners with permits from their local fire department.
As in the past, fire departments in the Central Okanagan will issue permits to those who qualify and meet the requirements of local fire protection bylaws. If necessary each department enforces its own bylaw regulations.
However, as of September 15
th
, with the introduction of the
Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation
by the BC Ministry of Environment, before lighting any fire, anyone with a permit issued by their local fire department is also required to separately ensure compliance with those new regulations.
The new BC regulations divide the province into zones: the Central Okanagan is within the
High Sensitivity Zone
which means many new requirements must be met including new setbacks near neighbouring properties, hospitals, schools and health care facilities. As well, efforts must be made to reduce the amount of vegetative debris to be burned through alternative methods (reducing, reusing or recycling). The BC Ministry of Environment has detailed information available
on its website
to assist any property owner to comply with its regulations. Property owners should contact the Ministry if they have questions about the Open Burning and Smoke Control Regulation.
Burning permits issued under Central Okanagan bylaws are available from
local fire department
s
.Those eligible to burn within the four Central Okanagan East or Central Okanagan West electoral area fire protection areas (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing) may call the Regional District at 250-469-6223 to obtain a permit. (Long Distance Collect Calls are accepted weekdays between 8:00am - 4:00pm, excluding holidays).
**Locally, you can call the North Westside Fire Rescue Dept. at 250-545-1195, leave a message and your call will be returned.
Residents with questions about the burn permit process in the Central Okanagan should contact their local fire jurisdiction.
Property owners with a valid permit from their local fire service and meeting all of the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation must call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline: 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) before lighting any fire to determine if open burning is allowed on a particular day. In order for burning to take place, both the Venting and Air Quality conditions must be good. This information will also be available each day after 8:00am at
rdco.com/airquality
.
Under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the City of Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, City of West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas or under the bylaws of the District of Peachland. Yard waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, weeds and other garden waste are not allowed to be burned - **you can dispose of this type of waste in the yard waste bin at the North Westside Transfer Station.
Violators of local bylaws could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire by their fire service. Residents are encouraged to report anyone violating local bylaws by burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Center at 250-469-8577. Potential violations of the Provincial regulations should be reported to the BC RAPP line (1-877-952-7277).
Under Regional District and local fire bylaws permitted open burning must be complete on April 30
th
although the date may be adjusted depending on the local fire hazard. Central Okanagan residents should check with their local fire jurisdiction regarding regulations and restrictions on campfires, chimineas and other outdoor wood burning devices. Campfires are not allowed in the City of Kelowna.
**Added for local info
