Thursday, September 16, 2021 – Effective at 12 p.m. (noon) PST today, campfires will again be permitted throughout the Coastal Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, including Sooke. This rescind is the result of recent rainfall that has reduced the wildfire risk in the region, along with the return of seasonal temperatures.
While the campfire ban is lifting, residents are reminded that backyard burning is not permitted in Sooke until November 1st.
The District’s burning regulations were re-evaluated earlier this year as residents expressed concerns for air quality during periods of backyard burning. Additionally, smoke from burning can be highly visible and drive critical response resources away from other emergencies while also creating unwanted fire and wildfire risks.
Effective June 1, 2021 amendments were made to Bylaw No. 292:
- burning is permitted November 1-April 30, provided the venting index(1) is GOOD;
- the burning regulations apply to all properties within the District of Sooke – there is no distinction inside and outside of the sewer specified area.
There are several alternatives to yard waste removal including grass-cycling, composting, chipping and mulching, curbside pickup and hauling. To learn more about these alternatives and the District’s backyard burning regulations, visit sooke.ca/burning.
(1)The ventilation index is a measure of how weather conditions will impact the dispersion of smoke. View the Venting Index online. To find Sooke’s venting index, look for the “SRN VAN ISLD” listing. Alternately, you can call 1-888-281-2992 and press “2” to verify the current venting index for South Vancouver Island.
Contact:
Christina Moog, Communications Coordinator
250.642.1634, ext. 678
cmoog@sooke.ca
