Effective Friday, October 4 at 12:00 p.m. (noon), restrictions for open burning in the Central Okanagan will be lifted and permits will be available for eligible property owners. Permit holders can burn outdoors on days when both air quality and venting indices are good.
Permits usually run from October 1 to April 30 in the Central Okanagan, although the date may be adjusted depending on the local fire hazard.
Applications for an open burning permit can be found at lakecountry.bc.ca/openburning. Unless prompted otherwise, applications are not accepted at any of the Lake Country Fire Stations. Please visit Lake Country Municipal Hall customer service during regular business hours if you have questions or call 250-766-5650.
Before lighting any fire, Central Okanagan permit holders must call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline: 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) and listen to the message to confirm that burning is permitted on that day. Additionally, each morning an online outdoor burning indicator is updated at rdco.com/airquality. Those with a permit must also meet the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
There are several alternatives to open burning such as chipping, grinding or if applicable, yard waste disposal at the City of Kelowna Glenmore landfill. The RDCO Air Quality program has more information available on other disposal options including a new Mow/Chip/Rent/Buy incentive of up to $3,000 for qualifying participants.
A reminder for anyone receiving an open burning permit that under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the District of Lake Country. Yard waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, weeds and other garden waste are not allowed to be burned.
Violators of local bylaws could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire by their fire service. Residents may report anyone violating local bylaws and burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Center at 250-469-8577. Potential violations of the Provincial regulation should be reported to the BC RAPP line (1-877-952-7277).