Burning & Air Quality

Air quality data for the Cowichan region indicate that there are occasional exceedances of the provincial PM2.5 objectives from 2009 to 2015. Exceedances were primarily due to open burning (commonly known as backyard burning) and wood burning appliances (winter), and forest fires located in other regions (summer). It has been estimated that 77% of the total PM2.5 in the Region is coming from area sources. Open burning accounted for 53% of the total PM2.5 and wood burning appliances accounted for 23% of the total PM2.5.

How You Can Help Reduce Air Pollution

Working together for clean air to support our health, our environment and our communities. Clean air is important for health. Learn more about what you can do to protect the air in our region:

1. Open Burning & Alternatives Information – Learn how to minimize local pollution from open burning
2. Wood-Burning Appliance Exchange Rebate Initiative CVRD provides financial assistance to replace old, smoky wood-burning appliances with healthier, more efficient heating options

Alternatives to Open Burning

There are many alternatives to open burning (commonly known as backyard burning) in the Cowichan Valley. Remember, by not burning your waste, you’re helping to clear the air for your neighbours while also saving valuable resources for reuse. 

• The CVRD provides free yard and garden waste drop-off at local Recycling Centres.
• Put the yard waste in your organics bin. Residential homes in the Cowichan region receive curbside pick-up of recyclable materials and garbage as part of your annual utility bill. Why not take advantage of the service and recycle your waste?
• Private waste management facilities offer free or low-cost yard and garden drop-off
• Yard and garden materials are composted and reused for landscaping, lawns and gardens. Chip and mulch to reuse material on site

Report an Illegal Burn

All fire safety concerns or emergencies should be reported to a local fire department or by calling 911 Emergency Services.

To report illegal backyard burns in Areas A, B, C, D, E, and G:

• Call CVRD Bylaw Enforcement at 250.746.2655.

Call your local municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officer. Telephone numbers are listed below:

• District of North Cowichan 250.746.3100
• Town of Lake Cowichan 250.749.6681
• Town of Ladysmith 250.245.6400
• City of Duncan 250.746.6126

To report illegal open burning in Areas F, H, and I, and for burning of landclearing material, construction debris, or prohibited materials:

• Call the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers & Polluters (RAPP) line at 1.877.952.7277

Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program

Are you ready to become more healthy and climate-smart? The CVRD can help with the new Community Wood Smoke Reduction Program that provides rebates for replacing or removing old, smoky wood-burning appliances with the Wood-Burning Appliance Exchange Initiative and Wood-Burning Appliance Bounty Initiative!

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis.