FIRE DANGER RATING: LOW

CURRENT BURN RESTRICTIONS

Updated November 5, 2021

NOTE: The CRD burning bylaw exists to permit the burning of yard waste, plant and woody debris, not trash

CLASS A BURNING – open burning larger than 2m wide x 1m high – Allowed by permit: Call BC Wildfire

                                     at 1 888 797 1717

CLASS B BURNING – open burning smaller than 2m wide x 1m high – Permitted

                                             – if burning woody debris thicker than 4″, you must check the Venting Index Map (below)

CLASS C BURNING – use of domestic incinerators (barrels capped with 3/8” steel mesh) – Permitted

                                   – campfires less than 0.5m (2’) wide – Permitted

“HIGH RISK” ACTIVITIES – No restrictions

 

NO FIRES ANYTIME of any kind in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (National Park)

For further detail, please see “Saturna Island Burn Regulations”, below:


Venting Index Interactive Map

 

 

For more clarification on high risk activities, Click HERE

“Early shift” means high risk activities must cease by 1pm, and be followed by a fire watch. During that time, non-high risk activities can be completed, while someone remains at the site and monitors for any sign of smoke. The fire watch requires at least 1 competent person to be on site with water and digging tools. They should also be able to contact 911 if necessary.

“Shut down” means all high risk activities are banned, unless written permission is issued by the fire chief or designate.

Saturna Island Burning Regulations

Outdoor burning on Saturna Island is regulated primarily by CRD bylaw 3452, but also by BC Wildfire laws, and the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.

Info about the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, which governs the ventilation index, can be found at:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air/air-pollution/smoke-burning/regulations/openburningregulation

CRD blyaw 3452 can be found at:

https://www.crd.bc.ca/about/document-library/Documents/bylaws/fireprotection

The bylaw distinguishes between 3 kinds of outdoor fires:

CLASS A – open burning of debris in piles larger than 2m wide x 1m high, and any land clearing debris

CLASS B – open burning of debris in piles smaller than 2m wide x 1m high

CLASS C – includes campfires, which are fires less than 0.5m wide used for cooking, or warmth. Also includes the use of domestic incinerators, which are steel burn barrels or other fireproof containers capped with steel mesh with holes no larger than 3/8” (10mm).

Also included in Class C are charcoal grills, outdoor contained wood-burning appliances, and the like.

Propane appliances are NOT included in Class C

CLASS A fires require a permit year-round. A permit (registration number) can be obtained by phoning (888) 797-1717. A copy of the WILDFIRE ACT AND REGULATION can be viewed on the BC Forest Service website at: bcwildfire.ca/LegReg/ which outlines the obligations of those undertaking open burning.

In the NATIONAL PARK, or GINPR, there are NO FIRES permitted anytime.

CLASS B fires require a permit during Fire Season, which runs from April 15 – October 31st, or as extended by the fire chief. At all times of the year, the fires must:

  • Be 10m from any building, structure, fence, tree or hedge
  • Have no green (less than 30 days old) debris
  • Be for no more than 4 consecutive days
  • Have no materials added within 2 hours of sunset
  • Be continuously controlled and supervised, with sufficient tools, water and labour on site to control and prevent it from spreading.

CLASS C fires do not require a permit, but permission to have them will be canceled by the fire chief when weather conditions warrant. They must also be used responsibly all year round, and a full set of conditions can be read in the bylaw linked above.

Other activities that can be prohibited at times of the year are industrial and “high risk activities”, which include, but are not limited to, mechanical brushing, use of explosives or fireworks, use of spark-producing tools, use of a vehicle with metal tracks, chains or studs, wood milling, logging, etc.

The fire chief and his/her agents take direction from the BC wildfire service, the CRD bylaw and nearby fire departments on when to permit or prohibit various burning and other outdoor activities that entail fire risk. Ultimately, the Fire chief has the authority under the CRD bylaw to determine when to restrict certain activities that involve risk of fire.