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Outdoor Burning Information and Best Practices
Open Burning Season
Within the Regional District of Central Okanagan, open burning requires a valid permit and is only allowed between October 1 and April 30. Further restrictions may be put in place due to fire hazards or other local conditions.
Call Before You Burn
After you have received a permit, you must ensure that burning is allowed on the day you want to burn. Call the Regional Open Burning Information Line (toll free) at 1-855-262-2876 to check the Venting Index and Air Quality on the day you plan to burn. Listen to the message to confirm that burning is permitted on that day. Open burning is only permitted when the Venting Index is 65 or greater and the Air Quality is good. Anyone that is caught burning without a Burning Permit or breaking the rules of their permit may be subject to fines up to $2000.
Note that it is illegal to burn prohibited materials, including, but not limited to:
• Garbage
• Compostable materials (e.g. leaves, grass clippings)
• Vegetative debris resulting from land cleared for a different use (e.g. farmland to residential development)
Permit Information
Residents that have properties greater than 1 hectare (2.47 acres) can apply for a permit through their local Fire Department Jurisdiction. • Kelowna residents: Kelowna Fire Department 250-469-8801 • Peachland residents: Peachland Fire Rescue Service 250-767-2841 • Lake Country residents: Lake Country Fire Department 250-766-2327 • West Kelowna residents: West Kelowna Fire/Rescue 250-769-1640 • Ellison, Joe Rich, Wilson’s Landing, North Westside residents: Regional District 250-469-6223 (residents may call collect or use a cell phone to avoid long distance charges)
Open Burning Best Practices
After considering alternatives to burning and receiving a valid permit, please follow these open burning best practices:
• Call the Regional Open Burning Information line on the day you want to burn at 1-855- 262-2876 to ensure that burning is permitted.
• Burning should not start until after 10am, as conditions are usually poor for venting smoke before that time.
• Stumps and branches over 8” in diameter must be dried for a minimum of two years or to equivalent dryness in accordance with local bylaws.
• Prunings and small branches must be dry before burning.
• Make smaller piles, with good air ventilation for efficient burning.
• Check wind direction to keep smoke away from neighbours.
Alternatives to Outdoor Burning
Agriculturists and residents are encouraged to take advantage of other options such as chipping, flail mowing, or air curtain burning to help reduce smoke pollution.
Free Agricultural Chipping Program
The Regional Air Quality Program offers a free service for Central Okanagan orchardists who want to chip wood waste material from an orchard removal. This type of debris typically includes stumps and large branches. Contact the Regional Air Quality Coordinator at 250-469-8408 or visit the program page for more information.
Wood Chipping
Grinding or chipping wood waste produces valuable woodchips that can be used as a ground cover or mulch. Depending on your needs, you can hire a contractor or rent your own machine. Search online or in the yellow pages under wood chipping, tree service, machine rentals, etc. to find a company that suits your needs.
Free Year-round Yard Waste Drop Off at Landfills
Drop off yard waste and prunings (under 8”/20cm diameter) weighing less than 250 kg anytime for free at the Glenmore Landfill and Westside Residential Waste Disposal and Recycling Centre. Charges apply for heavier loads and woody debris over 8”/20cm diameter. Please visit regionaldistrict.com/ recycle, email recycle@cord.bc.ca or call the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250 for more information.
Curb side Yard Waste Pickup
Bi-weekly curb side collection runs March through November. Consult your Living Greener Calendar or contact the Regional District Waste Reduction Office at 250 469- 6250 or recycle@cord.bc.ca. Air Curtain Burning Utilize forced air to burn wood faster and with less smoke. Contact your local Fire Department to learn more about forced air incineration options for burning agricultural or land clearing wood waste
Contact us
Kate Bergen
Regional Air Quality Coordinator
250 469-8408
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