Seasonal Burning

Category 1

• No larger than 0.5 x 0.5 m
• Used for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for ceremonial purposes.

Category 2

• Material in one pile, no larger than 2 m Height x 3 m Width
• Ignition of no more than 2 piles at a time.
• Stubble or grass, no more than 0.2 ha / 2000 sq m
• On the day you are planning to burn, check the Ventilation Index Interactive Map to view conditions in your area and see if burning is allowed.

Category 3

• On the day you are planning to burn, check the Ventilation Index Interactive Map to view conditions in your area and see if burning is allowed. 
• Material in one or more piles exceeding 2 m in height or 3 m in width.
• Ignition of no more than 3 piles at a time.
• Stubble or grass with an area exceeding 0.2 ha or 2,000 sq m
• Register the fire and obtain a valid burn registration number.

Visit the following website for more information regarding other legislative requirements around a Category 3 burn: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/ofts-burn-registration

Category 4 (Resource Management open fire) 

• Burning unpiled slash of any size, not within a category 1,2,3 open fire.
• Is lit, fueled or used for silviculture treatment, forest health management, wildlife habitat enhancement, fire hazard abatement, ecological restoration, range improvement or purposes identified by Indigenous peoples.
• Need signed and approved burn plan by British Columbia Wildfire Service (BCWS) to conduct a category 4 burn in a safe manner.
• Reach out to local British Columbia Wildfire Service representatives 250-318-7715 for assistance in burn plan development.
• Register the fire and obtain a valid burn registration number