Backyard Burning Permitted Only When Ventilation Index is GOOD, Starting November 1

Thursday, October 26, 2023 – Effective Wednesday, November 1st, the backyard (yard waste) burning season will be open in Sooke. During the months of the burning season, November to April, open-air burning can take place only from sunrise to sunset when the venting index for Southern Vancouver Island is GOOD (am or pm reading). This applies to all properties within the District, including those within the agricultural land reserve.

The ventilation index is a measure of how weather conditions will impact the dispersion of smoke. View Venting Index online. To find Sooke’s venting index, look for the “SRN VAN ISLD” listing. Alternatively, you can call 1-888-281-2992 and press “2” to verify the current venting index for South Vancouver Island.

Please be mindful of your neighbours and respectful of the regulations in place, burning only permitted materials under supervision and with water nearby. Sooke Fire also recommends that you cover yard waste with a tarp in preparation for burning as burning dry materials produces less smoke, reducing impact for neighbours.

When it comes to backyard burning, residents are asked to:

Check the venting index before burning
Refrain from burning prohibited materials(construction waste, garbage, etc)
Ensure the debris is dry
Shorten burning periods as much as possible
Locate burn piles as far away from property lines and structures as possible (at minimum, 20 feet)
Monitor the smoke to ensure that it is venting well and not impacting neighbours
Limit the number of hours that you burn, burning only between sunrise to sunset – the fire must be completely extinguished by sundown.

Residents may also wish to consider alternatives to burning such as composting, recycling, or chipping. If residents have questions on the burning regulation bylaw, please call 250.642.1634.

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