Burning Regulations

There is alway a question about whether or not one can "burn" or have a fire, whether it be in a burning barrel, a pile of rubble, a fire pit, a campfire, or any other type of burn.

Please consider alternate forms of disposal such as recycling, composting, chipping, or burying the material before you decide to burn. There are recycle containers at the West Creston Community Hall for cardboard and paper.

Here are a few valuable sites for your review when considering burning in your backyard or lighting any fire. They are followed by some modified excerpts from BC Forestry (Backgrounder, August 1, 2007) to help clarify burning, categories, and answer some of your questions (shown in black).

• Fires Bans - This site shows all areas in the province including our area in the Southeast. Also check with the RDCK before lighting a fire.
  
  
• Venting Index - Just point to Castlegar and click. Protect the air around our neighbourhood by burning only when all other options have been exhausted. A burn can only be conducted when the venting (the air’s ability to dissipate smoke) is "good" and forecast to be "good" for the duration of the burn.
  
  
• Creston Weather - Where would we be without a look at our weather.
  
  

What is an Open Fire in British Columbia? There are 3 categories of open fire that provide size and safety guidelines for burning activities.

• Category 1 - A Campfire or a Burn Barrel.
  
  A campfire size can be not larger than one metre in height and one metre in width.
  
  It is allowed as long as it is safe to do so and likely to continue to be safe, and one takes reasonable precautions to ensure the fire is contained, watches the fire to prevent escape, is equipped with sufficient fire fighting tools, carries out fire control action if the fire does spread beyond the burn area, and ensures the fire is extinguished before leaving the area.
  
  For more information, read Category 1 Open Fire (Campfires): General Guide to Responsible Burning at this website.
  
  
• Category 2 - Backyard Burning.
  
  Burns waste material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width, or
  
  Burns material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width, or
  
  Burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2ha.
  
  
• Category 3 - All other open burning. (These require a burn registration number, call 1-888-797-1717 for information.)
  
  Burns material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width, or
  
  Burns material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width, or
  
  Burns one or more windrows, or
  
  Burns stubble over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.
  
  

Where do open fire Restrictions apply? The BC Forest Service open fire Restrictions apply to Crown and Private lands outside of fire department jusisdictions.

West Creston is outside of the Creston municipal fire department boundaries and unprotected, therefore all Restrictions apply.

What can you do to prevent Wildfires? Here are a few ways to help reduce the risk.

• Check to see if there are any bans or restrictions in effect.
• Pay close attention to wind conditions before lighting a fire.
• Take appropriate precautions to ensure the fire does not spread.
• Remove woody debris away from the surrounding area.
• Keep adequate water and hand tools nearby.
• Use water to extinguish the fire.
• Ensure the fire is cold to the touch before leaving it unattended.

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