Burning Regulations
The Sechelt Fire Department is responsible for fire safety within the District of Sechelt and the Sechelt Indian Government District. To this end we regulate only the fire safety aspect of burning within these two areas. The smoke release from these fires are regulated and enforced by other authorities. To follow is a summary of what types of fires there are, what burning is allowed and in what area, what permits are required and who enforces what aspect of the burn.
Campfires: Campfires are fires for cooking, warmth or for ceremonial purposes. They are not a fire to burn rubbish and or branches in your back yard. A campfire is typically used as a wiener or marshmallow roast fire. They are also smaller in size, typically not more than three feet across at the base. Campfires are allowed year round within the Sechelt Fire Protection District unless the fire department issues a total burn ban. A burn ban is likely over the summer months but some years, when the weather is wetter, campfires are not banned. The Fire department enforces campfires by banning them when necessary and by responding to reports of illegal and /or dangerous campfires.
Back yard burning: Back yard burning is the open burning of waste material such as branches and yard trimmings. Due to numerous smoke complaints the District of Sechelt has banned back yard burning year round. This is a District of Sechelt Nuisance Bylaw, not a fire safety issue. Therefore it is enforced by the District of Sechelt Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
Back yard burning: Within the Sechelt Band lands, it is not regulated to date and is allowed until the fire department issues a total burn ban. At this time all fires would be banned for safety reasons and the Fire Department would enforce this closure.
Land clearing burning: Is the burning of vegetative debris as the result of land clearing. These are larger fires that are typically stacked by a machine. Land clearing burning is allowed within the District of Sechelt and the Sechelt Band lands under numerous environmental (smoke release) restrictions. The Fire Department plays a significant role by issuing a fire safety permit for these fires subject to the applicant being able to comply to the more stringent environmental rules. Please view the operational guideline:
The Local Conservation Officer is the enforcement person for any smoke complaints resulting from land clearing type fires.
The Fire Department, local governments and industry are actively pursuing options to the open burning of land clearing debris. Please be patient if you are impacted by the smoke from these fires.