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From the Regional District of Central Okanagan
Date of Issue: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
Starting Monday, October 20, 2025 at noon, campfires and open burning will once again be permitted in most parts of the Central Okanagan due to the recent rains and cooler weather.
The campfire ban within local government fire jurisdictions in the Central Okanagan has been in place since August 28. With appropriate safety precautions to prevent the spread of fire, campfires are once again allowed within the Regional District of Central Okanagan fire protection areas (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing), the City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, the District of Lake Country and the District of Peachland. Campfires are not permitted at any time within the City of Kelowna.
If you are having a campfire, please:
- Keep it attended at all times
- Have tools and water on hand to contain the fire
- Fully extinguish the fire before leaving
Open Burning Permits
Restrictions for open burning in the Central Okanagan will also be lifted and permits will be available for eligible property owners from their local fire service. Permits holders can burn outdoors on days when both air quality and venting indices are good and must be completed by April 30, or unless conditions change.
Before lighting any fire, Central Okanagan permit holders can call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline at 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) to confirm that burning is permitted on that day. Additionally, each morning an online outdoor burning indicator is updated at rdco.com/airquality.
Those with a permit must also meet the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
Property owners within the four Central Okanagan East or Central Okanagan West electoral area fire protection areas (Ellison, Joe Rich, North Westside, Wilson’s Landing) that are allowed to burn outdoors may call the Regional District at 250-469-6223 to obtain a permit. Residents with questions about the burn permit process in the Central Okanagan should contact their local fire service.
A reminder for anyone receiving an open burning permit that under the Regional District Smoke Control Bylaw, nuisance smoke from open burning is not allowed in the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, City of West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West electoral areas or under the bylaws of the District of Peachland. Yard waste such as leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, weeds and other garden waste are not allowed to be burned. Violators could receive a fine or be charged with the cost of putting out the fire.
Residents are encouraged to report anyone illegally burning on a non-burning day by calling the Regional Fire Dispatch Center at 250-469-8577.
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