Nelson Fire Chief approves burn period for Heritage City residents
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson Fire Chief Len MacCharles has approved a burn period subject to weather and local fire conditions from April 4-19 — inclusive.
The burn period, which begins Saturday of the Easter Weekend excludes Easter Sunday.
MacCharles said this opening is designed for the public to reduce non-compostable woody debris, which is clean, dry unstained, untreated wood resulting from land clearing.
“This does not include the burning of yard waste or vegetative matter such as leaves, grass clippings, vegetable stalks or similar,” MacCharles explained.
MacCharles said burning of woody debris requires a permit and is subject to the following conditions (excerpt from Bylaw No. 3268, 2014):
a) competent person:
- must be at all times present and in charge of the fire while burning or smoldering
- must be provided with efficient appliances and equipment to prevent the fire from getting beyond control or causing damage or becoming dangerous to life or property
- must ensure that such fire is completely extinguished
b) no burning maybe carried out within five metres from any forest land, Buildings, structures, commercial or industrial property or any Combustibles;
c) burning may only be carried out during the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
d) only clean, dry, solid and untreated wood and Woody Debris collected or accumulated from the Owner or Occupant’s land on which the burning will take place may be burned
e) no pile of burning woody debris may exceed 1.5 metres in diameter or one metre in height
f) accelerants, building materials and non-organic material are not permitted and may not be burned
g) despite the issuance of a permit, no burning maybe carried out if:
- it would be unsafe to do so due to climatic conditions or any other hazard
- if the air quality venting index is not good or is otherwise deemed by the Ministry of Environment or Ministry of Health to be not suitable for burning
h) the Owner or Occupant must provide proof of fire insurance in a form and with content and deductible satisfactory to the Fire Chief
MacCharles said permits must be acquired in person, at the Nelson Fire Department, located at 919 Ward Street for the $10 fee can that be paid by cash or cheque at the time of issuance and proof of fire insurance.
The Fire Department continues to encourage home owners to bring yard waste to the Grohman Narrows Transfer Station.
Residents are required to follow the Ministry of Environment’s Venting Index guidelines (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/venting/venting.html) (or call 1-888-281-2992) and only burn on days when venting is listed as “Good” on the day of burning to minimize any accumulation of smoke-caused air pollution.
Residents are also required to report to Nelson Fire and Rescue on the days they intend to burn.
Contravention of Bylaw No. 3268 may be met with suspension or revocation of the permit and/or a fee for service.
MacCharles said the Corporation of the City of Nelson Bylaw No. 3268 can be found via the City of Nelson Website.
