Some Burning Rules You May Not Know

Two Provincial Ministries regulate outdoor burning: the BC Wildfire Service regulations are concerned with what you burn and the Ministry of Environment is concerned with the toxic smoke you put into the airshed when you burn.

Regulations require that you initiate your yard waste fire at least one hour after sunrise and it must be extinguished by 4:00 pm or 2 hours before sunset, whichever time is later.

Yard Waste piles can consist of branches, sticks, leaves and non-diseased vegetative matter but must be dry. The MOE also bans burning wet leaves.

Yard Waste fires are Category 2 fires and are restricted to 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width. You can burn two piles concurrently, but you must be on site monitoring the fire or fires until extinguishing. Water and tools must be on site.

Construction and demolition debris is prohibited in burn piles. Also, No garbage, tires, animal products or toxic materials.

Thetis Island is located in a High Sensitivity Smoke Zone, and the Venting Index must be rated as Good on the day of your burn. Consult the Venting Index Map 

The Ventilation Index Interactive Map displays if you can burn and for how long. You can access today's forecast via an automated toll-free telephone line at 1-888-281-2992.