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The Regional Air Quality Program is a joint initiative of the City of Kelowna, Regional District of Central Okanagan, District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the District of Lake Country.
The Air Quality Program helps protect and improve the region’s air through education, awareness, and pollution prevention programs.
Contact the Regional Air Quality Coordinator (airquality@kelowna.ca) at 250-469-8408 or visit these pages for program initiatives and information.
Outdoor Burning Information
Open Burning Season Ends April 30th - View News Release
Depending on the fire hazard, the season normally runs October 1st to April 30th throughout the Central Okanagan.
Only eligible property owners (greater than one hectare/2.47 acres) with a permit from their local fire authority will be allowed to burn after phoning the Open Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876 which will tell them whether venting and air quality allow burning that day.
- On a day that burning is allowed, it's recommended burning begin later in the morning, as venting conditions are usually better after 10:00am.
- Here are the active Burn Permits issued by the Regional District for property owners within the Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside and Wilson's Landing Fire Protection areas (updated monthly during outdoor burning season)
- Residents are encouraged to report anyone illegally burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Center at 250-469-8577.
The Air Quality Program encourages all Central Okanagan residents to use Alternatives to Open Burning whenever possible.
Residents with a valid permit are required to check the air quality/venting conditions on the day that they want to burn. Conditions are updated daily at approximately 8:00 am. The conditions can also be accessed by calling 1-855-262-BURN (2876).
The outdoor burning season is regulated in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Areas in part by the Regional Fire Prevention and Regulations Bylaw No. 1066 and the Smoke Control Bylaw No. 773. Member municipal governments have similar regulations, which empower local fire chiefs to determine the open burning season.
Within the Regional District of Central Okanagan there are a few specific circumstances when burning may occur when the venting index is less than 65.
- A local fire department may exempt a permit holder from the venting and air quality regulations when burning is required specifically for a fuel modification project to dispose of fire hazard materials and protect public safety by reducing the potential for interface wildfires. Permit holders may be subject to other conditions from the fire department issuing the permit.
- Areas within the Regional District that are outside of a fire protection area fall under the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Residents must contact the Regional District at 250-469-6223 to confirm that they are outside of a fire protection area.
For regulations and information regarding Outdoor Burning, please contact your local fire authority.
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Regional Air Quality Coordinator
airquality@kelowna.ca
250-469-8408
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