Open burning ban lifted in the Central Okanagan

Effective Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. (noon), the ban on open burning will be lifted in most areas of the Central Okanagan in alignment with BC Wildfire Kamloops Fire Centre’s Category 2 and 3 Prohibition rescindment. As a reminder, campfires have been permitted in some areas of the Central Okanagan as of Sept 16, 2026.

Permits will be available for eligible property owners from their local government. Permit holders can burn outdoors on days when both air quality and venting indices are good.

Before lighting any fire, Central Okanagan permit holders must call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline: 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) and listen to the message to confirm that burning is permitted on that day. Additionally, each morning an online outdoor burning indicator is updated at rdco.com/airquality.

Those with a permit must also meet the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.

Property owners within the four Central Okanagan East or Central Okanagan West electoral area fire protection areas (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing) that are allowed to burn outdoors may call the Regional District at 250-469-6223 to obtain a permit. Residents with questions about the burn permit process in the Central Okanagan should contact their local fire service.

A reminder for anyone receiving an open burning permit that under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the City of Kelowna, 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.

Fire department jurisdictions for permits
(phone only unless otherwise noted)

• Central Okanagan East or Central Okanagan West electoral areas 
  (Residents of Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing fire departments):
• Call the Regional District at 250-469-6223 weekdays only 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. excluding holidays
  
  
• City of Kelowna residents - Kelowna Fire Department - Walk-in only (fee applies)
• 2255 Enterprise Way (Main Hall Station 1)
  
  
• District of Lake Country residents - Apply online: Burning Permit | District of Lake Country
• 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road (Municipal Hall) regular weekdays 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  
  
• District of Peachland residents - Peachland Fire Rescue Service 250-767-2841
• Weekdays only 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. excluding holidays
  
  
• City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation residents – West Kelowna Fire/Rescue 778-797-3200