Please consult the following table to determine if the type of burning you wish to proceed with is currently allowed and if a valid fire permit is required in order to do so. If a permit is required, see the Fire Permits page. All open burning is subject to limits set by the Ministry of the Environment. Please check their fact sheet here.

Please note that EVEN IF YOU HAVE A PERMIT, BURNING MAY NOT BE ALLOWED IF THE VENTING INDEX IS NEGATIVE. The venting index is about upper level atmospheric conditions and winds, and you can't tell by looking out the window. To find out whether the venting index allows burning with a permit today, go to this interactive venting map of coastal BC. Additional information and details about the venting index can be found here.

LOW HAZARD RATING Low: Fires may start easily and spread quickly but there will be minimal involvement of deeper fuel layers or larger fuels. Fire Permits are required on Thetis Island for open burning, including incinerators and campfires between April 1 and October 31 unless otherwise restricted.	Type of Burning	Authorization
	Machine Piles	Permit required all year round. Also Venting authorization, a provincial burn registration number, and site inspection required year-round. For more information go to the Burning Regulations page
	Open Air Burning	Permit required until October 31st. No permit required from Nov. 1st to Mar. 31st. Permits required again as of April 1st. All yard waste burns must check, and be subject to, venting index restrictions prior to ignition.
	Approved Incinerators
	Campfires (7 days a week)	Campfires allowed with Permit between April 1st & Oct. 31st No permit required from Nov. 1st to March 31st.
MODERATE HAZARD RATING Moderate: Forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution. Fire Permits are required on Thetis Island for open burning, including incinerators and campfires between April 1 and October 31 unless otherwise restricted.	Machine Piles	NO - COMPLETE BAN ON BURNING
	Open Air, Hand Piled Yard Waste Burning	No yard waste permits between May 1st and October 31st, or incinerator fires. Campfire permits will be issued, or not, depending on conditions. Please note that, if permitted, campfires must be of Provincial regulation size.
	Approved Incinerators
	Campfires, beach and evening, permit required
HIGH HAZARD RATING High: Forest fuels are very dry and the fire risk is serious. New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities will be restricted or not allowed on Thetis Island. Fire Permits may be rescinded. Time of day restrictions for high risk activities may be in force.	Machine Piles	NO - COMPLETE BAN ON BURNING HIGH Risk Activities such as mowing, chainsawing etc. may take place in the morning hours (when humidity is highest) with safety precautions (water/extinguisher ready) in place and must be followed by a 2 hour fire watch after activity ceases at 1 p.m.
	Open Air, Hand Piled Yard Waste Burning
	Approved Incinerators
	Campfires (7 days a week)	Not Allowed Small evening Campfires are currently NOT allowed. Only approved propane campfire appliances may be used. See Campfires page for information.
EXTREME HAZARD RATING Extreme: Extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. New fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge fire suppression efforts. General forest activities will be forbidden on Thetis Island including open burning, industrial activities and campfires.	Machine Piles	NO - COMPLETE BAN ON BURNING
	Open Air Burning
	Approved Incinerators
	Campfires

 

For details about burning regulations, approved incinerators, campfires, etc, please see the Burning Regulations page. All fires absolutely must be monitored by a responsible adult, and there must be a ready method of extinguishment available at the site.