Open burning and campfires banned in Central Okanagan

Open burning season has officially come to an early end in the Central Okanagan.

A ban put in place April 3 across the region, also continues for all wood-burning campfires.

“Local fire departments across the Central Okanagan remind everyone that illegal burning including campfires not only impacts the health of others but requires fire department resources which increases the physical distancing health risks of responding firefighters,” said a news release from the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is continuing the ban on open burning that began March 26 to support provincial COVID-19 efforts by reducing potential air pollution in High Sensitivity Areas. Evidence has shown that exposure to air pollution can increase susceptibility to respiratory viral infections by decreasing immune function.

No open burning is allowed anywhere within the City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, District of Peachland, District of Lake Country and Regional District of Central Okanagan. Under normal circumstances, open burning is not allowed in the Central Okanagan after April 30.

For more information about alternatives to open burning in the Central Okanagan, visit rdco.com/airquality.

In order to support public health efforts and reduce unnecessary fire department call-outs, residents are reminded that all wood-burning campfires are banned in the City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland and the RDCO fire departments in Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside and Wilson’s Landing. Campfires are not allowed at any time within the City of Kelowna.

The ministry says campfires can release a significant amount of smoke and fine particulates into the air.