Backyard Burning & Yard Waste

Don't burn if you don't have to. Smoke produced from burning contains toxic chemicals and microscopic particles that may cause or aggravate health problems, as well as reduce visibility in our community.

Backyard Burning & Yard Waste Brochure

For further information on health effects of wood burning, visit http://www.bc.lung.ca/airquality/wood_burning.html

As an alternative to burning, the Municipality encourages you to compost at home or take your yard waste (year-round, free of charge) to one of these Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) solid waste management and recycling facilities:

1. Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex, 3900 Drinkwater Road, Duncan, open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Peerless Road Drop-off Depot, 10830 Peerless Road, Ladysmith, open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For further information and hours of operations, phone the CVRD Recycling Hotline at 250-746-2540 or http://www.cvrd.bc.ca/index.aspx?NID=364

If you must burn, do it legally and wisely

Under North Cowichan's Fire Protection Bylaw, backyard burning is NOT permitted in all zones until March 15 to April 15 and October 15 to November 15.

Fines may be issued if the following restrictions are not met: 

• Only burn when the ventilation index is "good" for South Vancouver Island (listed on Environment Canada’s website or call 1-888-281-2992).
• Only untreated natural wood and brush may be burned.
• No fire may be burned that produces heavy smoke or fumes, interferes with the normal use or enjoyment of life or property, endangers the health, safety, or welfare of persons or animals, or damages plants or property.
• No burning of any chemical or material including oil, tar, rubber, plastic, or fertilizer or any construction or demolition waste, treated wood, grass, leaves or materials referred to as garbage or refuse.
• Fires must be a minimum of 10 metres (33 feet) from all property lines (this requires approximately a ½ acre lot) and 4 metres (13 feet) from any structures or flammable or combustible material (see diagram).
• Stack the pile so it has plenty of air to all parts of the pile. If it does not, you will notice excessive amounts of smoke.
• Only one hand piled fire per property permitted at a time.
• The fire may not be more than 2 metres (6.5 feet) in diameter and 2 metres (6.5 feet) in height.
• Burned material must be from the land where the fire is located.
• Proper fire-fighting equipment, including at least a shovel, rake and garden hose connected to a water source must be on hand and readily available in case of fire escape.
• Fires may only burn during daylight hours.

Recreational Fire Pits

Small recreational fire pits may only burn clean dry firewood and must:

• Be made of noncombustible material.
• Be equipped with a tight-fitting lid of perforated metal or wire screen having openings not more than 1 cm² in area.
• Not exceed 0.5 m³ in volume.
• Be located not less than 2 meters from a property line and not less than 5 metres from a building or flammable combustible material.
• There must be fire-fighting equipment available on hand including at least one shovel, rake and garden hose connected to water source.

For more information, contact Rob Clark, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, or Andy Daniel, Environmental Technician, at the Municipality of North Cowichan at 250-746-3100.