Frustrating But Important

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Venting Index is the result of data collected on weather, pressure, winds etc.  On Poor or ‘NO” days in our Southern Vancouver Island zone you cannot light your burn pile.  The smoke generated would not dissipate effectively and will cause increased airshed pollution and health risks.

Thetis Island “enjoys” about eight months of the year of open burning, five of them with no permit required. Elsewhere in the Cowichan Valley area there is either no open burning whatsoever, or is restricted to a few weeks in winter. And the Venting Index during those few weeks may restrict the burning opportunities to only a few days.

In order for us to keep open burning in all but the four wildfire danger months here, we have to play by the rules.  Vancouver Island residents are just as able as we are to check the Venting Index and call if they see smoke on Thetis Island on a NO Day. 

Check the Venting Index daily; it’s updated every morning at 07:30 a.m.  Find it on the Thetis Island Fire website or phone the number we have posted at the ferry or the solid waste facility.  Use it or we lose it!

TIVFD