Open Burning is permitted from October 15 to April 15.
Changes have been made to the way burning is regulated on Bowen Island.
Types of open burning
Category 1 (campfires)
A campfire is defined as an open fire that burns piled materials no larger than 0.5m in height by 0.5m in width and is used for recreational purposes e.g. cooking or warmth. Only dry wood is permitted. You do not need a permit to have a campfire.
So can I have a campfire? Campfires are restricted based on Fire Danger Rating. Check the Fire Danger Rating before lighting a campfire.
Category 2 (burn barrels/hand stacked burn piles)
A Category 2 fire is defined as one to two concurrently burning piles no larger than 2m high by 3m wide. A Category 2 fire requires permits, which are only issued between October 15 and April 15. Category 2 fires are not permitted at any other time.
Metro Vancouver Authorization Requirements for Category 2 fires:
Before you light a Category 2 fire you must first register under Metro Vancouver’s Open Burning Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1355 using the Open Burning Registration System. You will not be able to apply for a Bowen Island Municipality Burn Permit without first registering your property under Bylaw 1355 with Metro Vancouver.
Category 3 (land clearing or other major burning)
A Category 3 fire is defined as a major, usually machine stacked fire that is larger than 2m high by 3m wide, or more than two piles of less than 2m high by 3m wide that are burning concurrently. A Category 3 fire requires permits, which are only issued between October 15 and April 15. Category 3 burns are not permitted at any other time.
Metro Vancouver Authorization Requirements for Category 3 fires:
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain Open Burning Approval under Metro Vancouver’s Air Quality Management Bylaw No. 1082. Bowen Island Municipality will not accept a Category 3 Burn Permit application without the Burn Registration Number received from Metro Vancouver.
Open burning complaints
If you have a safety concern about an open burn on a neighbouring property, you can call Bowen Island Fire-Rescue at 604-947-9324 and leave a message; the number is monitored and messages requiring a response will be answered.
If your concern is about air quality, please make an air quality complaint to Metro Vancouver at
604-436-6777.
Reference
BIM Fire Protection and Emergency Plan Bylaws
Metro Vancouver Open Vegetative Burning Bylaws
Frequently Asked Questions?
Metro Vancouver develops and implements plans, policies, regulations, and projects that improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Starting in 2021, they made steps towards this by creating bylaws around both indoor and outdoor burning. Bowen Island Municipality is brining the island’s permitting process into compliance.
Everyone should care about air quality and reducing greenhouse emissions.
People with asthma and other health conditions, including infants with underdeveloped lungs and the elderly are particularly at risk.
No, because the island lies within Metro Vancouver Regional District boundaries.
Council can increase burn days under Part 8 of the bylaw.
Metro Vancouver takes air quality complaints seriously. See their website for more information on how to lodge a complaint.
A category two burn permit is valid from October 15 to April 15 of one burn season. For category three burn permits, contact Metro Vancouver.
Depending on if Metro Vancouver’s ventilation index permits burning, burning is permitted for up to six days in a month and up to a total of twelve days per year.
- Branches
- Leaves
- Plants
- Tree trimmings
- Weeds
- Furniture and other finished goods
- Garbage of any kind
- Old buildings, sheds, barns
- Plastics
- Tires, rubber, battery boxes
- Insulation, drywall, tar paper, demolition waste, treated lumber
- Paint
- Fuel, fuel and lubricant containers
- Asphalt, railway ties
- Clothing, leather, shoes
- Domestic waste, biomedical waste
Unsure? Contact the Fire Chief by calling 604-947-9324 or email fire@bimbc.ca
Make the pile wide and long rather than high. This will spread the heat and be safer.
Live power lines require a wide berth. Consider the radiant heat and smoke the burn will generate. Smoke and ash can cause power lines to arc, and the heat will damage the lines.
Stay away from fences and property boundaries. Consider local residents. Maintain a clear area between piles and any other combustible materials.
Try to choose a space with open canopy away from the base of trees. Wait until the piles have been burned or removed before planting.
- Your neighbours
- Metro Vancouver
- Bowen Island Fire Rescue
Find out more about Category 2 permit notifications.
Find out more about Category 3 permit notifications.