Considering alternatives to open burning is required
Metro Vancouver requires alternative methods to be considered, such as chipping, grinding, shredding, and beneficial re-use like composting and mulching.
However, the need for rural and water access properties to burn materials from time to time is recognized. Open burning can help reduce the amount of combustible fuel surrounding properties and help reduce the risk of wildfire, in accordance with
FireSmart principles.
Regulations
Metro Vancouver regulates emissions from open burning through the following bylaws Air Quality Management Bylaw No. 1082, 2008 and the
Open Burning Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1355, 2022 (Bylaw 1355).
Requirements for larger burns on water and road access properties
For larger burn piles, typically associated with land clearing, an
Application for Open Burning Approval is required by Metro Vancouver.
Requirements for smaller burns on water access properties
Use the Water Access Property Burn Information Form if you intend to open burn on a parcel of land with water access in Electoral Area A (excluding the University of British Columbia and University Endowment Lands). This area includes Indian Arm, Carraholly Point, the west side of Pitt Lake, Passage Island, Bowyer Island, and Boulder Island.
If the material is less than 10 centimetres in diameter, submit the form between 10 and 90 days before you intend to open burn.
| Guidelines | Guidelines | <div class="ExternalClassD1FA930D777B41FB946577D61B361BB3"><ol><li>Do not use accelerant(s) for open burning.</li><li>Emissions from open burning have the greatest impact on children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung diseases such as asthma or COPD. Consider how to mitigate exposure to vulnerable groups. Options for minimizing emissions include:</li><ul><li>Alternate disposal for portions of the vegetative debris </li><li>Using blowers or fans </li><li>Only burning vegetative debris from your land</li></ul><li>Individual pieces of vegetative debris must all be less than 10 centimetres in diameter.</li><li>Open burning must be completed in one day.</li><li>Adding vegetative debris to ignited burn piles is not permitted if the smoke negatively impacts a nearby population or reduces visibility to cause a navigational hazard at an airport or highway.</li><li>Immediately provide proof of identity and required information when requested by the district director or an officer to ensure compliance.<br></li></ol><br></div> |
Requirements for smaller burns on road access properties
Follow these instructions if you intend to open burn on a parcel of land with road access in Electoral Area A (excluding UBC and UEL). This area includes Barnston Island and Howe Sound Mainland Communities, for example Montizambert Wynd, Strachan Point, and Ocean Point).
Step 1: Register with the
Open Burning Registration System — the initial fee is $50 and is valid for 12 months, renewal is $25.
Step 2: Submit the Road Access Property Burn Information Form between 10 and 90 days before open burning:
Step 3: Complete the
Open Burning Notification Form at least 24 hours in advance of burning.
| Guidelines | Guidelines | <div class="ExternalClassCEEEC4C73CE3470FB15A96A2CA3BDAFB"><ol><li>Do not use accelerant(s) for open burning.</li><li>Emissions from open burning have the greatest impact on children, the elderly, and those with existing heart and lung diseases such as asthma or COPD. Consider how you will mitigate exposure to vulnerable groups. Options for minimizing emissions include:</li><ul><li>Alternate disposal for portions of the vegetative debris</li><li>Using an air curtain burner</li><li>Using blowers or fans</li><li>Checking and adhering to the <a href="https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/" target="_blank">ventilation index</a> every day prior to burning</li><li>Only starting to burn in the late morning after dispersion conditions improve </li><li>Not adding vegetative debris to the pile(s) less than two hours before sunset, when dispersion starts to worsen</li></ul><li>Only burn seasoned vegetative debris from your land.</li><li>Each burn pile's dimensions must not exceed two metres in height and three metres in width.</li><li>Open burning must be completed in one day.</li><li>Adding vegetative debris to ignited burn piles is not permitted if the smoke negatively impacts a nearby population or reduces visibility to cause a navigational hazard at an airport or highway.</li><li>Notification of the location of the open burning is required at least 24 hours in advance. This includes occupants and managers of every residence, place of work, school, hospital, or community care facility within 150 metres of the open burning location.</li><li>Open burning must be located at least 50 metres from any buildings or residences and workplaces and at least 100 metres from the property line of a hospital, school, or community care facility.</li><li>You must not burn salt-laden wood.</li><li>Immediately provide proof of identity and required information when requested by the district director or an officer to ensure compliance.</li><li>Be present at the burn at all times and ensure appropriate fire suppression equipment is available prior to starting. This includes fire extinguishers, buckets of water, fire pumps, and hoses. </li></ol></div> |
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general information purposes only. For a complete list of bylaw requirements, please refer to Bylaw 1355. If there is any discrepancy between the information contained here and Bylaw 1355, Bylaw 1355 shall prevail.