Friday, November 4, 2022 – After an unseasonably dry early fall, the weather has turned and, with that, the local fire rating is now low. The backyard (yard waste) burning season in Sooke is open, with some restrictions.
Open-air burning is limited in Sooke to days when the venting index for Southern Vancouver Island is GOOD (morning or afternoon reading) and may only occur from sunrise to sunset.
More on the Ventilation Index and where to find it:
The ventilation index is a measure of how weather conditions will impact the dispersion of smoke. Find the Ventilation index:
- See the Ventilation Index Interactive Map;
- Read the text version of the index online (find Sooke’s venting index, look for the “SRN VAN ISLD” listing); or
- Call 1-888-281-2992 and press “2” to verify the current venting index for South Vancouver Island.
Be considerate of neighbours and keep community safety top of mind:
“Please be mindful of your neighbours and respectful of the regulations in place that exist for the safety of our community,” says District Fire Chief Ted Ruiter. “Burn only permitted materials under supervision and with water nearby. Residents are also encouraged to cover yard waste with a tarp in preparation for burning as burning dry materials produce less smoke, reducing the 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.
Sooke Burning Regulation Bylaw applies to all properties within the District, both inside and outside of the sewer-specified area as well as properties within the agricultural land reserve. Backyard burning, pending changes to the fire rating, is permitted until April 30th.
Fines for non-compliance with the Burning Regulation Bylaw range between $200-$400 and are enforced by the District of Sooke Bylaw and Sooke Fire Services.
Learn more:
- District of Sooke Burning Regulations
- Alternatives to Backyard Burning Rack Card
- District of Sooke Bylaw 292 – Fire Protection Services
- Ministry of Environment Venting Index – scroll down to SRN VAN ISLD
- Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (OBSCR)
Community Contact:
Sooke Fire Services
Tel: 250.642.5422
Media Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
250.643.1634, ext. 678
cmoog@sooke.ca