CVRD Fireworks Ban Still in effect

Effective at noon Pacific Daylight Time on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, open burning activities will once again be permitted throughout the Union Bay Fire Protection Area.

Category 2 and Category 3 open fires have been prohibited throughout the jurisdiction since July 15, 2022. This prohibition is being allowed to lapse due to current and expected rainfall, along with a return to seasonal temperatures.

Specifically, this change will allow the following activities:

“category 2 open fire” which means an open fire, other than a campfire, that

1. burns material in one pile not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
2. burns material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width, or
3. burns stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 ha.

“category 3 open fire” which means an open fire that burns

1. material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 m in height and 3 m in width,
2. material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width,
3. one or more windrows, or
4. stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 ha.

Also allowed will be the previously prohibited activities listed below:

• Yard waste;
• Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description.

The campfire prohibition within the Union Bay Fire Protection Area was lifted on September 24, 2022. This applies to campfires that are a half-metre high by a half-metre wide or smaller, or to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes. Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris from around the campfire area and have a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish the fire.

A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online: openburningregs_2022update.pdf

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Union Bay Fire Rescue is committed to providing professional, efficient and effective services to all residents and visitors of Union Bay. Our mission will be accomplished through training, education and fire prevention. When called upon; we will….

• Provide a rapid and professional response to a emergency
• Attempt to minimize loss of life and property from fire, or disaster
• Show compassion for those involved
• Be committed to protection of the environment