Smoke Control Regulations

The Fire Dept. receives many complaints about neighbours not complying with the Smoke Control Regulations the province has in place for High Sensitivity Zones.  All of Thetis Island is in a High Sensitivity Zone.  We all know that we must check the Venting Index to see if it is okay to ignite a burn pile that day.  We all know that it must be attended, water must be available, and it must be extinguished by 4:30 this time of year. 

But it may be that most have not read the Smoke Control Act and are not aware that burn piles must consist of dried branches (piled for four months) or have only a 30% moisture content.  This means that green branches, newly cut, are prohibited in burn piles.

Also, your burn setback must be at least 500 metres (1500 feet) from another residence.  If any neighbour is within that setback, you cannot burn. If you live near the Thetis Island school or Capernwray’s classrooms, you cannot burn within 1000 metres (3,000 feet).

This is an excellent Fact Sheet about burning in our Zone…please read it if you conduct outdoor burning on your property:  

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/air-land-water/air/factsheets/high_sensitivity_burn_zone.pdf 

Thetis Island Volunteer Fire Department