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Backyard Burning Rules

Know the Rules for CVRD Electoral Areas

Open burning in CVRD Electoral Areas A, B, C, D, E, and G is regulated under Smoke Control Bylaw No. 3716. Burning is only permitted from March 15 to April 15, and October 15 to November 15. All burning must be set in accordance with federal or provincial regulations.

Burning in Electoral Areas F, H, and I is regulated by the Ministry of Environment; residents should check the current bans and restrictions before starting a burn.

Local Municipality Restrictions

Backyard burning is completely banned in the following local municipalities:

  • The City of Duncan
  • The Town of Ladysmith 
  • The Town of Lake Cowichan 

Similar to the CVRD, the Municipality of North Cowichan has a their own regulations.

For all CVRD Areas, when burning is permitted:

  • Check the 4:00 pm BC Venting Index projection for Southern Vancouver Island (SRN VAN ISLD) before you burn (or call 1.888.281.2992)
    • Open burning is only allowed when the Southern Vancouver Island Venting Index is rated GOOD for 4:00 pm on the day you want to burn
  • All burning must occur between 7:00 a.m. and sunset of the same day
  • Open burning is limited to only one hand-piled fire not greater than two metres wide and two metres high and must be continually supervised
  • Only untreated natural wood, prunings or branches can be burned (NO leaves, grass clippings, garbage or construction waste)
  • Open burning must be located at least 10 metres from all property lines

Ventilation Index Forecast

What is the Venting Index and Why Does it Matter?

The Venting Index measures how well smoke can mix with the surrounding air. Based on wind speed and mixing height of the atmosphere (e.g. how high smoke rises), the Index determines how long smoke persists in a given area. Given that the Cowichan Valley is bowl-shaped, smoke can get trapped here for days, causing poor air quality and respiratory issues. This means that open burning is only permitted when the Venting Index is rated GOOD, not FAIR or POOR. 

Open Burning of Landclearing Debris

Open burning of landclearing debris and stumps is banned in all Electoral Areas under the Landclearing Management Regulation Bylaw No. 2020 The minimum fine is $1,000 for illegal burning.

Landclearing debris and stumps can only be burned with the use of an air curtain or trench burner in accordance with the BC Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. 

All landclearing burns must be registered with the CVRD using the Open Burn Registration Form PRIOR to ignition.

Burning Prohibited Materials

Burning of construction debris and other prohibited materials is banned under the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. A person who burns prohibited materials can face fines of up to $200,000. 

Burning of waste generated from an industry, trade or business is prohibited at all times by the Environmental Management Act.

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

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

Smoke Pollution and Your Health

Smoke pollution from open burning can seriously impact your health, as well as the health and well-being of your family and neighbours.

Chemicals found in backyard burn smoke can include dioxins, furans, arsenic, mercury, PCBs, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, hydrochloric acid and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

To protect and improve air quality in the Cowichan Region, the CVRD has drafted two bylaws that regulate backyard burning and land clearing debris burning. Want to promote healthy hearts and lungs instead?

How You Can Help Reduce Air Pollution

Alternatives to Open Burning

There are many alternatives to open 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.
  • 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

Land Acknowledgement
The CVRD is in the ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations including (but not limited to) Quw'utsun (Cowichan Tribes), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), c̓uubaʕsaʔtx̣ (Ts'uubaa-asatx), xeláltxw (Halalt), Spune’luxutth (Penelakut), Stz'uminus, Leey’qsun (Lyackson), Diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ (Ditidaht) and P’a:chi:da?aht (Pacheedaht) Peoples. Local First Nations Peoples have stewarded the lands of this region since time immemorial. The CVRD is committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the region by strengthening cooperation, collaboration, and relationship building.