Open Burning Underway in Smith Creek

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 03, 2020

West Kelowna Fire Rescue has issued opening burning permits in the Smith Creek area and residents may notice smoke on days when local conditions allow.

As part of wildfire mitigation efforts near the Powers Creek Water Treatment Plant, off Shetler Drive, the fire chief has permitted registered professional foresters to conduct and monitor burning of debris as part of wildfire mitigation work. The City of West Kelowna has been working closely with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development to plan the mitigation projects and has received authorization for the associated burning plan. The Province of British Columbia is supporting the project through a grant awarded last year under the Community Resiliency Investment Program.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue has also issued a permit to Wiltech Developments to conduct burning on days when conditions permit at 2802 Smith Creek Road.

Under Regional District of Central Okanagan Bylaws 773 and 1066 and West Kelowna Fire Rescue Establishment Bylaw 0114, property owners must obtain a permit to conduct open burning. The Fire Chief may issue a permit to qualified property owners between October 1 and April 30, unless weather, temperatures and fire hazards shorten the season.

Burning can only occur on days when the local venting index permits and all activity must comply with the BC Ministry of Environment’s new Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations.

-30-