Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1, 2007
As well as complying with the CRD Fire Regulations summarized here, everyone is also bound by the BC Ministry of Environment Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. The current Air Ventilation Index is available on Environment Canada web site.
Tickets
Tickets may now be issued for violations of Bylaw 3452 – Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1, 2007. Schedule 33 To Bylaw No. 1857 lists the relevant offences and fines. To view, click on the link below and then click on 1857 – Capital Regional District Ticket Information Authorization Bylaw, 1990. 1857 – Ticket Authorization Bylaw
The following is a summary of 3452 – Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1, 2007. In the case of any discrepancy between this information and the actual bylaw, the bylaw takes precedence.
No open burning (except beach and camp fires as defined below) shall take place during the months of July, August and September.
No fires of any kind (including incinerator, beach and camp fires) are allowed during Extreme Fire Hazard periods.
Fire season is April 1 to October 31.
The season may be extended at the discretion of the Fire Chief. Class ‘A’ and class ‘B’ fires require a permit from the fire department. See below for definitions of Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ fires. Call 642-6211. As this is a volunteer department, please leave a message and the person issuing permits will call you back.
Prohibited Materials: The following shall NOT be burnt: tires, plastic, drywall, paint and paint products, treated lumber, asphalt, asphalt products, rubber, fuel, solvents, metals and lubricant containers, tar paper, railway ties, demolition waste, garbage, biomedical waste or manure as well as other material that may be listed under the BC Ministry of Environment Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
Class A Fires
- October 1st to June 30th – burn ok – permits required
- July 1st to September 30th – NO burning at all
Burning of any piles larger than 2 meters in diameter and 1 meter in height requires a permit from the fire department.
No person shall burn land clearing waste:
- within 50 meters of buildings on the same property
- within 50 meters of the works or facilities of any utility
- within 100 meters of a neighbouring residence or business
- between a building and a highway
- for more than 3 consecutive days
No person shall add additional materials to a fire within 2 hours of sunset of each day of the fire.
Class B Fires
- April 1st to June 30th – burn ok – permits required
- July 1st to September 30th – NO burning at all
- October 1st to October 31st – burn ok – permits required
- November 1st to April 1st – burn ok – no permits required
Class B limits on hand pile burning shall be maximum diameter 2 meter or 6 feet and a maximum height of 1 meter or 3 feet. No green debris or leaves shall be burnt except by specific exemptions which may be at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
No person shall add additional materials to a fire within 2 hours of sunset of each day of the fire.
Beach and Camp Fires
Beach and camp fires are allowed all year round except during Extreme Fire Hazard periods.
Beach and camp fires shall not exceed 1 meter in diameter and 1 meter in height. All beach and camp fires must be contained by a suitable receptacle made of fire proof materials (such as rocks or metal) that completely surround the fire. Fires are to be continuously controlled and supervised by a competent person until fire is completely extinguished.
Incinerators
Incinerators with a proper screen do not require a permit. Incinerators can be used all year round except during Extreme Fire Hazard periods.
The owner of any incinerator shall:
- maintain the incinerator in a condition that provides for the proper combustion of any material burned;
- ensure that any burning is supervised and that any equipment necessary for fire control is available;
- ensure that the domestic incinerator is located at least:
- (i) 1.5 meters from any grass, shrubbery or wooden fence; and
- (ii) 7.6 meters from any building;
- ensure that the commercial or industrial incinerator is located at least:
- (i) 3 meters from any grass, shrubbery or wooden fence; and
- (ii) 10 meters from any building