Open Burning starts October 1 for eligible property owners complying with new Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation
Starting October, 1st, open burning will be allowed for eligible property owners (minimum property size of 1 hectare or 2.5 acres) with permits from the Lake Country Fire Department. Lake Country enforces its own bylaw regulations which includes Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated as amended July 18, 2017).
All eligible property owners also need to be aware that September 15th the new Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation was introduced by the BC Ministry of Environment. Before lighting any fire, anyone with a permit issued by the local fire department (available from Municipal Hall or Fire Administration at Station 71) is also required to separately ensure compliance with the new regulations.
Open burning is the largest source of fine particulate matter pollution in BC. Fine particulates released into the air can impact health and contribute to poor air quality in communities. New requirements to better protect air quality are: shorter burn periods and a requirement to season (dry out) debris before burning in the high smoke sensitivity zone around communities; and new larger setbacks from neighbours, schools, hospitals and care facilities.
The new BC regulations divide the province into zones: Lake Country – within the Central Okanagan – is within the High Sensitivity Zone which means many new requirements must be met including new setbacks for burning near neighbouring properties, hospitals, schools and health care facilities.
General setbacks:
- 500 m from residence or business buildings
- 1000 m from nearest property line of schools, hospitals and community care facilities
Reduced setbacks (1 day burn and best practices):
- 100 m from residence or business buildings; and
- 500 m from nearest property line of schools, hospitals and community care facilities if:
- - Vegetative debris is piled and seasoned
- - Each pile’s dimensions: largest horizontal dimension is less than twice the height (3m wide x 2m high)
- - Written record available (piled for at least 4 months or originated from standing dead timber; dry basis moisture content is equal to or less than 30%)
- - No stumps; and the largest part of each separate portion of the vegetative debris has a diameter less than 50 cm
- - Reasonable efforts for notifications to neighbouring properties (24 hours in advance of burning)
Burning must start no earlier than 1 hour after sunrise and end by 4:00 pm or 2 hours before sunset (whichever is later).
Property owners must make efforts 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. The new regulation does not apply to campfires or domestic or agricultural burning of vegetative debris that is less than 3 cm in diameter (and only sections 9, 12 and 30 of the regulation apply if the debris is 3-10cm in diameter). Property owners should contact the Ministry if they have questions about the Open Burning and Smoke Control Regulations at OBSCR@gov.bc.ca and for air quality questions bcairquality@gov.bc.ca.
Property owners with a valid permit from Lake Country and meeting all 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 8:00 am at rdco.com/airquality.
Under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the District of Lake Country and other communities within the Central Okanagan. Yard waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, weeds and other garden waste are not allowed to be burned. Based on Regional best practices: all debris 10 centimetres or greater in diameter should be dry for at least two years or alternatively have a 30% or less moisture content (records are required).
Violators of local bylaws could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire. Residents are encouraged to report anyone violating local bylaws by burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Centre at 250-469-8577 or Lake Country Fire Department at 250-766-2327. Potential violations of the Provincial regulations should be reported to the BC RAPP line (1-877-952-7277). Enforcement of the Provincial regulations will be done through conservation or natural resource officers and could result in a fine up to $200,000.
Under local fire bylaws, permitted open burning must be complete on April 30th although the date may be adjusted depending on the local fire hazard.
Back to Search 