Regional District of Central Okanagan Press Release

Under the authority of the Regional District of Central Okanagan Fire Prevention Bylaw, a special burning permit has been issued to deal with an emergency agricultural issue. While the open burning season ended April 30th, local fire chiefs may issue special permits at any time. Starting Saturday, June 5, and for the next week and a half, residents may see smoke coming from the area of a 5.2-hectare orchard along Lakha Road in Ellison.

People living near the orchard have been notified that authorized debris burning will take place starting Saturday, and ending by Tuesday, July 15th. The orchard is infested with Clearwing Moth and trees must be burned in order to prevent the pest from spreading and potentially damaging other orchards. Every effort has been taken to minimize the impact of the burn.

In the interest of public safety, Ellison Volunteer Fire officials require the use of high velocity fans to minimize smoke generated from the burning of the fruit tree debris piles and that monitoring of the site take place 24 hours a day. Precautions have also been made for on-site fire suppression.

Residents are advised they may see smoke from this site until the debris burn is complete. The Kelowna Fire Dispatch has also been made aware that the special burning permit has been issued.