Open burning permits end April 30

Open burning season in the Central Okanagan ends on Sunday, April 30.

Until then when conditions allow, all eligible property owners, farmers and other large lot owners with permits from their local fire jurisdiction may burn specific wood debris outdoors. As well, they must follow the BC Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.

Property owners must use Best Burning Practices and call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline:  1-855-262-2876 (BURN) before lighting any fire to ensure that open burning is allowed. Both the Venting and Air Quality must be good in order for burning to occur within the Central Okanagan.  A link to this Outdoor Burning information is also available each morning after 8 a.m. at rdco.com/airquality.

When open burning is allowed, the Central Okanagan Air Quality program recommends that debris piles should be ignited after 10 a.m., when proper venting conditions are more likely.  Permit holders are required to continually supervise any burning piles and have the proper fire extinguishing equipment and tools on hand to prevent any fire from spreading.

Under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, creating nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the City of Kelowna, the District of Lake Country, City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas or under the bylaws of the District of Peachland. Violators could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire. Residents may report illegal burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Center at 250-469-8577.

All Central Okanagan property owners, regardless of property size are encouraged to use other options to dispose of their wood debris and yard waste including the:

• Bi-weekly curbside collection
• Agricultural chipping program
• Mow-Chip-Rent-Buy-it Rebate program
• Year-round disposal at the Glenmore landfill and Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre (fees apply)

Central Okanagan residents are reminded to check with their local fire jurisdiction for regulations and restrictions regarding campfires, chimineas and other outdoor wood burning devices. Campfires, fire pits and outdoor burning appliances are not allowed at any time within the City of Kelowna.  Kelowna fire crews do have the ability to issue bylaw fines if they are notified of a campfire in the city limits.

The Regional Air Quality program is an initiative of the Regional District of Central Okanagan, cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna, districts of Lake Country and Peachland and Westbank First Nation. It helps protect and improve the region’s air through education, awareness and pollution prevention programs.