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Burning Regulations

See our Burning Permit area links that follow for burning permit info and currently allowed burning.

Salt Spring Island Fire Protection District Local Fire Hazard Rating


(updated Thursday, September 02nd, 2010 at 02:22:08 PM)

Low Local Fire Hazard

MODERATE


What is the "Early Shift" status?


(updated Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 02:37:11 PM)

Early Shift is not in effect.

Please see our Forestry Section for more Early Shift and Shutdown information.

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Venting Information

Environment Canada Smoke Control Forecast

Or automated voice message available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at: 1 888 281-2992

  • press 2 for Vancouver Island Region
  • press 8 for the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations
  • press 9 for information on how to use the Environment Canada Venting Forecasts

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Approved Incinerator and Open Air Burning

Permits for Approved Incinerator and/or Open Air Burning:
Unless a special written permit is issued, no approved incinerator and/or open air burning (fires) is permitted...

- between sunset of one day and the sunrise of the following day
- on Canada Day, B.C. Day, or Labor Day Holidays
- in the months of July, August and September

***** Any one found to be in contravention of these Guidelines is subjecting themselves to a charge for services rendered and the cost of extinguishing agents, with a minimum charge being $400.00 *****

No permits required from October 15th in any year to April 15th of the following year unless proclaimed otherwise by the Fire Chief.

Permits are available at no charge from Hall 1 in Ganges.

Open Air Fires

The permit holder must insure that the open burn site is located at least 3m (10 ft.) from any grass, shrubbery, or wooden fences and at least 6m (20 ft.) from any building.  The Permit holder must have a water source at the site and it must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times during burning.  Hand Piled Open fires are meant for burning waste materials:(paper, cardboard, lumber, brush, slash, trees, or other woody debris), not exceeding 2 meters in height and 3 meters in diameter.

Before you burn check to see if materials can be recycled or are prohibited.

Authorized Incinerator

An Authorized Incinerator is one that is maintained in a condition that provides for proper combustion of any material burned.  The permit holder must always supervise the incinerator and have water on hand at the site.  The Authorized incinerator must be located at least 2m (6 ft.) from any dry grass, shrubbery, or wooden fences, and/or 4.5m (15 ft.) from any building.  The incinerator must have a mesh screen where the mesh weave measures not more then 16mm or less than 8mm.

Approved Incinerator

Remember these points when burning:

  • Burn only during safe conditions... no wind and after rain has fallen is best
  • Stay with fire until it is completely out
  • Always have a garden hose available to prevent fire from spreading
  • Avoid burning near buildings, trees or tall grass
  • Keep fires small and under control
  • Recycle and re-use applicable materials before burning
  • Check the Fire Hall Fire Hazard Board located at each of our Halls for updates on the local forest fire hazard
  • Remember to get a permit BEFORE you burn


Prohibited Burning Materials

  • Tires
  • Plastics
  • Drywall
  • Demolition waste
  • Domestic waste
  • Paint & Paint products
  • Treated Lumber
  • Asphalt & Asphalt Products
  • Rubber
  • Fuel & Lubricant containers
  • Biomedical waste
  • Tar Paper
  • Railway Ties
  • Manure
Can you
recycle any material before you burn?

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Additional Burning Information Resources

BC Government - Ministry of Forests:

Forest Fire Prevention and Suppression Regulation

Fire Danger Ratings

New Rules for Burning in BC

Wildfire News


Re-use or recycle before you burn?

Please check to see if material can be re-used or recycled before you light a burn pile.

The CRD Recycling Depot is open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm at 349 Rainbow Road, Ganges.

Contact them at 537-1200 for more information on materials accepted for recycling.

CRD Recycling Directory

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All content Copyright © Salt Spring Island Fire Protection District (SSIFPD) and
Salt Spring Island Fire/Rescue, 2010

For technical issues, please send email here.
For all other inquiries please see our contact page.