Open burning is back

Photo: RDCO

Friday the 13th marks the start of open burning season in the Central Okanagan.

Open burning is once again allowed, as of 5 p.m. today – air quality and venting conditions permitting, and as long as property owners have a permit from their local fire authority.  

Burning season continues until April 30. The start of burning was delayed from Oct. 1 due to the elevated fire hazard. 

Those eligible to burn within the four Central Okanagan East or West fire protection areas (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing) may call the regional district at 250-469-6223 to obtain a permit. Other jurisdictions are as follows:

• City of Kelowna residents - Kelowna Fire Department  250-469-8801
• District of Lake Country residents - Lake Country Fire Department  250-766-2327
• District of Peachland residents - Peachland Fire Rescue Service  250-767-2841
• City of West Kelowna residents – West Kelowna Fire/Rescue  778-797-3200

Before lighting any fire, permit holders must call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline: 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) to determine if open burning is allowed that day. This information will also be available each day after 8 a.m. at regionaldistrict.com/airquality.

Under provincial right to farm legislation, agricultural burning is allowed, and it accounts for most of the burning permits issued in the Central Okanagan. As an alternative disposal method, the Regional Air Quality Program is working with farmers to encourage chipping.  

Yard waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, weeds and other garden waste is not allowed to be burned. Fires creating nuisance smoke could result in a fine.

Homeowners are encouraged to use the curbside yard waste collection program or free yard waste drop off at the Glenmore landfill until Dec. 31.