Burning season is here
Burning season starts in the Central Okanagan today.
Under regional district and local fire bylaws, permitted open burning may start Oct.1 and must be complete by April 30. Fire chiefs may change the dates depending on the fire hazard in their area.
Starting Wednesday, those with properties greater than one hectare will be allowed to burn outdoors, but only after receiving a permit from their local fire authority and only after confirming burning is allowed on a particular day. Farmers and large lot owners must also follow any regulations before lighting any fire.
Eligible property owners within the Central Okanagan East or the Central Okanagan West electoral areas may obtain a permit by calling the Regional District at 250-469-6223 (long distance collect calls are accepted) weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., excluding holidays. All other eligible property owners must obtain a permit from their municipal fire department.
Before lighting any fire, eligible property owners with a valid permit must call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline at 1-855-262-2876, or go to regionaldistrict.com/airquality to find out if open burning is allowed on that day.
Both the venting and air quality conditions must be good in order for burning to occur within Central Okanagan fire jurisdictions.
Under the regional district smoke control bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas or under the bylaws of Peachland.
Violators could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire. Residents are encouraged to report anyone illegally burning on a non-burning day by calling the regional fire dispatch centre at 250-469-8577.
All Central Okanagan property owners regardless of property size are encouraged to take advantage of other options to dispose of their yard waste. The biweekly curbside yard waste collection program is underway through the end of November and residents are reminded to only place leaves, grass, pine needles and small prunings inside their wheeled yard waste cart with the green lid closed.
Residents may also choose to use the year-round free yard waste program at either the Glenmore landfill (open seven days a week 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.) or at the Westside Residential Waste Disposal Centre (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Monday).
Yard waste and pruning’s weighing up to 250 kilograms and 20 centimeters or less in diameter may be dropped off for free at either location.
When transporting loads for disposal, please make sure they are covered. As long as yard waste is separated from regular garbage, loads exceeding the maximum weight up to 20 centimeters in diameter will be charged $40 per tonne while those with a larger diameter will be charged $65 a tonne. As well, a number of private companies offer wood chipping and grinding services or rent portable chippers. Some may also pick up yard waste for disposal.