Longlake Heights

 Burning Regulations & Permits 

Outdoor burning regulation – Quick Guide 

Residential backyard burning (burn piles) 

Burning permits may be issued for an Open Burning fire on a lot that is one (1) acre in size or greater OR lots located on Protection Island, under the following conditions: 

  • • Burning is only permitted from sunrise to sunset, Fridays and Saturdays, during the months of April and November. 
  • • Fire must be on the property owned by the individual who wants to burn. 
  • • Only organic yard waste materials such as garden refuse and prunings may be burned. 
  • • A burning permit is required. A permit can be obtained by calling the Nanaimo Fire Rescue Department at 250-753-7311. 
  • • The permittee shall keep a competent person at all times in charge of such fire until such time as the fire is completely extinguished. 
  • • Fires shall not exceed 1.5 meters across in size; shall be hand fed and shall be located at least 3 meters from any combustibles. 
  • • Burning of wooden construction material, stumps, land clearing materials/debris or household garbage is not permitted. 
  • • PERMITS ARE NOT VALID ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR QUALITY VENTING IS FAIR/POOR. 
  • • Air quality venting information is available at the BC Air Quality Website (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/ ). Nanaimo Fire will reference this site at 4 PM on Thursday for Friday’s decision to burn, and 4 PM on Friday for Saturday’s decision to burn. IF burning is cancelled for a specific day this information will be posted via twitter @nanaimofire. 

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. 

Residential outdoor cooking fires 

Permits are not required for residential outdoor cooking fires, under these conditions: 

  • • Fire is within a device or barrier and is contained from spreading 
  • • Container does not exceed 24 inches in diameter 
  • • Burn only clean, dry wood or briquettes 
  • • Fire duration is not more than 2 hours 

Exceptions 

Barbecues, grills or smokers fuelled by: 

  • • Liquid (naphtha, kerosene, etc.) 
  • • Gas (propane, natural gas, etc.) 
  • • Solid (charcoal briquettes) 
  • • Electricity 
  • • Portable or fixed campfire devices that are fuelled by propane or natural gas 

The burning of debris from land clearing is prohibited. 

Any fires that generate persistent, offensive smoke shall be ordered extinguished. 

Other fires 

For other kinds of fires, like ceremonial, campground or for a special event (such as a bonfire), you will also need a permit.