NOTICE

OPEN BURNING

From November 1st, 2009 to March 31st, 2010 (unless otherwise ordered by the Fire Chief) burning is permitted without a permit providing it is in accordance with the regulations stated in

Bylaw # 3452 (below). Review the following regulations: 

CLASS”C” FIRES: 

BEACH FIRES / CAMPFIRES:  No person shall ignite or maintain a beach fire on the foreshore or a campfire within 7.5 metres (25 ft.) of any building, structure, fence, tree or hedge, or within 3 metres (10 ft.) of driftwood, dry vegetation, grass or other combustible materials.

INCINERATORS:  Incinerators must be maintained in good condition that provides for proper combustion of the materials burned, be located at least 7.5 meters (25 ft.) from a building or propane tank and 1.5 meters (5 ft.) from fences, grass or trees with a fitted mesh screen or grill with openings of 3/8 inch or less to restrict sparks.

CLASS “B” FIRES: 

The burning of hand-piled woody debris can be no larger than 2 meters (6 ft.) in diameter and 1 meter (3 ft.) high.  The burn pile must be located at least 10 meters (33 feet) from a building or propane tank, fences, grass or trees.

You must ensure a competent person supervises the fire at all times, and that you have adequate equipment to keep the fire under control.  You are liable for any damage caused by a fire you light.  It is illegal to burn plastic, rubber or other waste materials that produce toxic fumes.  Please be considerate of neighbors and extinguish your fire if the smoke from your fire is impacting their home. Smoke can be deadly to someone with respiratory problems.

CLASS “A” FIRES:

Permits are required year-round for any machine piled material and can be obtained from Fire Hall # 1.  A burn registration number is required and the Smoke Control Regulations (venting index) must be adhered to.

Excerpts from Bylaw 3452

More information about burning regulations

“NO FIRES ANYWHERE” signs:

When these signs are posted outdoor burning is not allowed. This applies to open fires, incinerators, or any other outdoor appliance that may produce sparks or that burns woody material. This does not apply to gas fired barbeques or appliances that burn briquettes.

There is no open burning from July 1 to Sept 30.

Outside these dates, conditions are constantly monitored. The Fire Chief is mandated to make decisions based on this information and implement restrictions as necessary

What you can’t burn:

• Don’t burn recyclables.
• Don’t burn tires, plastic, drywall, paint or paint products, treated lumber, asphalt products, rubber, fuel, lubricant or containers, tar paper, manure, or any prohibited materials listed in Schedule A, of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation Environmental Management Act.
• Don’t burn green debris or leaves. Cover with a tarp to dry for at least 30 days before burning.
• Don’t burn when environmental conditions cause smoke to negatively impact residents. The Fire Chief can order fires to be extinguished if the smoke poses a hazard to residents.

Contact us:

Contact us by phone at 250-629-3321, by fax at 250-629-6194, by mail at P.O. Box 61, Pender Island, B.C. V0N 2M0 or drop in to Fire Hall #1 during the week at 4423 Bedwell Harbour Road and we’ll give you a tour.