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open burning
in this section
- Introduction
- Report a burn
- Notification program
- From our blog
- Resources
- In the news
Many municipal bylaws dealing with backyard burning are for fire protection, and often are not intended to protect air quality. Recently, though, several municipalities have passed bylaws that ban backyard burning, or only allow the burning of dry, garden refuse under strict rules and on certain days.
There are real health hazards that are caused by particulate matter that is created from open burning and these particulates also play a major role in accelerating global warming. With so many alternatives in this day and age to open burning, the Clean Air Society is against all open burning on the Sunshine Coast.
What we can do as citizens:
Compost and mulch If you are in need of good soil prepare your own - the Sunshine Coast is a rocky place!A good aged compost gives very healthy soil antagonistic to many soilborne pests and diseases. Your yard residue can be taken to composting facilities at the dump as well. There you can get composted material for your garden. Just grow rye or oats for few cycles and seasons and this compost will turn into proper soil.
Super Natural
B.C. is proud of its beautiful nature. There is no urgent need to get a groomed forest, spotless lawn, or immaculate garden. Great gardeners know how to use mother Nature's smart ideas and ecological mechanisms to make plants grow properly. Nature has no garbage, no waste and no leftovers.
Tree-trimming
Don't save money on the wrong end. Instead of burning the debris get tree-trimming services to chop or dispose.
Rent chipping machines
If it is costly ask in your neighbourhood for a 'joined chipping event'. Add some coffee and cookies and it becomes a party!
NOT - NEVER - NO
Don't burn any garbage or toxic materials like tires, plastics, construction and demolition waste, treated and painted wood, and rubber. You cannot see the toxins in the smoke, but they are there.
Report a burn
When the ventilation index for a given area has a rating of 54 or below, it is illegal to open burn anywhere on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast falls under the Central Vancouver Island jurisdiction for the venting index. If the burn you are reporting is a land clearing or commercial burn, contact the conservation officer and leave a message.|
Egmont: 604-883-2555 Gibsons: 604-885-6870 Halfmoon Bay: 604-885-5712 |
Madeira Park: 604-883-9011
Garden Bay: 604-883-9922 Malaspina: 604-487-9911 |
Port Mellon: 604-884-5222 Roberts Creek: 604-885-6871 Sechelt: 604-885-7017 |
You can also utilize our Neighbourly Notification Program. See below:
Neighbourly Notification Program
It's not always easy to approach a neighbour whose burning habits are causing you difficulties. Maybe you have already approached the neighbour and have been dismissed or treated with disrespect. This purpose of the Neighbourly Notification Program is first, to target directly the producer of smoke with educational materials and advice to make them aware that such actions are affecting their neighbours and community. Second, to remove the burden of direct complaint from the individual(s) affected by the burning. These complaints might include; back yard burns, use of a burn barrel, construction burns, slash burns, and excessive chimney smoke.What can we do?
We have drafted a series of form letters that will be sent out by the SCCAS advising the people responsible for the smoke that neighbours have asked the SCCAS to send this letter to inform the person about the consequences of their burning methods. The letter will also include greener and healthier alternatives to the burning methods they are using, educational information about the health hazards, and links and contacts where they can access more information.
Your personal information will not be released. Just send us an e mail to notification@cleanaironthecoast.com included your neighbour's address, including postal code and name, if possible. Tell us what type of burning is causing the issue and we will send a letter to them within 2 days.
From our blog
- April 15th marks the start of Clean Air Season!
- Removing one ton of black carbon will have the same effect as removing 2,000 to 3,000 tons of CO2
- Progress and more progress for the SCCAS
- Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill is burning plastic
- Drop in U.S. air pollution linked to longer lifespans
- Lee Turnbull (area F candidate) views on open burning
- Garry Nohr (area B candidate) views on open burning
- Lorne Lewis (Area E candidate) views on open burning
- Frances Wasserlein (Area B candidate) views on open burning
- Robert Corlett (Area E Candidate) views on open burning
- Ask the candidates
- Black Carbon Pollution Emerges As Major Player In Global Warming
- Report on the Halfmoon Bay Backyard Burning Forum
- An (Un) Neighbourly Nuisance, by Michael Jessen
- District of Sechelt: Bylaw 446, 2005 to Prohibit Backyard Burning.
News on this topic from around North America
- Butt out: B.C. a tinderbox
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:04:35 -0700 Conair suppression teams from Abbotsford have already been busy, pictured here dousing a forest fire in the Chilliwack River Valley Monday. - Briefly: July 23, 2010
Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:14:28 -0700 Campfire ban All open burning, including campfires and fireworks, has been banned in the Coastal Fire Centre effective noon today, July 23. The ban has been put in place to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. - Alert: No burning allowed starting Monday
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:20:43 -0700 The Department of Lands and the Kootenai County Fire Chiefs have determined that continued hot weather and dry conditions warrant instilling a burn ban for Kootenai County beginning Monday, Aug. 2. No further burn permits will be issued. - Seymour brush fire highlights hazard
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:08:26 -0700 FIREFIGHTERS are calling for caution from hikers and other forest users after a substantial brush fire in a North Vancouver park took crews from four agencies more than 12 hours to extinguish. - Seven Hills will allow bonfires and outdoor fireplaces
Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:47:27 -0700 City Council on Monday OK’d what may be seen as easier rules for bonfires. - District of Hope follows suit on fire ban
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:44:05 -0700 The District of Hope is following the province’s lead and is declaring a ban on open campfires within its muncipal boundaries as of noon, Thursday, July 29. - Campfire ban begins today
Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:34:48 -0700 Tinder dry forests and a prolonged dry spell has led to the prohibition of any open burning in the Coastal section of B.C. until further notice, said the Ministry of Forests and Range. - Antrim extends ban on burning
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:29:28 -0700 GREENCASTLE, Pa. The Antrim Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday moved to extend the townships current two-week burning ban indefinitely and approved enforcement of the ban to be at the discretion of township officials. - Fire ban SHORT TAKES
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:04:49 -0700 Starting at noon tomorrow (July 29), all open burning, including campfires and fireworks, will be prohibited across the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction, including Tweedsmuir Provincial Park. - Lois Jackson: Waste-to-energy incineration is right choice for Metro Vancouver
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:57:06 -0700 At the end of the day, the objective, science-based analysis shows clearly that in economic, environmental, and social terms, waste-to-energy is the right choice. - Campfire ban in effect Thursday
Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:45:34 -0700 If you're planning on camping on the August long weekend bring a barbecue or portable stove, because campfires will be banned. - Middlesex bans open burning
Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:17:11 -0700 As of July 20, Middlesex County has a 60-day ban on open burning. The ban resolution adopted by county supervisors on July 20 states all outdoor burning and all outdoor fires, including camp fires, are prohibited except within a grill or stove designed and used for food preparation.