Category 3 Burning Permit

Open burning creates a significant amount of smoke that contributes to pollutants such as smog and ground-level ozone that can trigger a variety of health problems including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion. Please consider other forms of disposal such as chipping, composting, grinding or the use of an air curtain burner.

How to Apply for a Category 3 (Industrial land clearing or other major burning) Burning Permit 

There are two options:

1. ONLINE

  • You must FIRST apply for Metro Vancouver Open Burning Vegetative Debris Approval
  • Complete the form below.
  • Submit your $50.00 payment via interac e-transfer to finance@bimbc.ca. Include “BURN PERMIT” and your ADDRESS (location of burning) in the description.
  • Once your form and e-transfer is received you will receive your burning permit. Confirmation of your burning permit can take 2 business days. 
  • Call the fire department at (604) 947-9324 to schedule a site inspection with the Fire Chief or the Deputy Fire Chief. 

OR

2. IN PERSON

  • Complete a paper copy of the form at Municipal Hall. Pay via cash, cheque or debit. 
  • Call the fire department at (604) 947-9324 to schedule a site inspection with the Fire Chief or the Deputy Fire Chief. 

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the conditions of a Category 3 Burning Permit as follows:

Burning is permitted on Bowen Island from October 15 to April 15 

Only burn when Metro Vancouver’s “Open Burning Advisory” indicates that burning is allowed. You must call 604-436-6777 to determine if open burning is allowed on each day that you plan to burn. This information is available daily after 8:30 am.

You require a Metro Vancouver Permit. You can find information about open burning on the Metro Vancouver website.

You require a Provincial burn registration number. You can find information on the Provincial website.

Once you have applied for your permit and paid the fee, call the fire department at (604) 947-9324 to schedule a site inspection by the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief. On the day of the burn you must call the fire department and leave a message.

The permittee shall be responsible for fires authorized by the permit.

  • Category 3 burning permits are for piles larger than 2m high x 3m wide.
  • Burning is only permitted on private property. No fires are to be located on Municipal property, public roads or road allowances.
  • Each permit will be for 72 hours only upon ignition of the burn.
  • No material other than wood, paper or cardboard shall be used to start, assist or enhance the burning. The following material is PROHIBITED: tires, paint, manure, clothing, plastics, special waste, rubber, battery boxes, drywall, tar paper, asphalt, leather, demolition waste, treated lumber, fuel containers, domestic waste, railway ties, biomedical waste, and lubricant containers. 
  • The materials to be burned shall have originated on the property for which the permit is issued. 
  • Every effort should be made to have a hot fire, with emphasis on reducing the output of smoke as much as possible. 

The permittee shall take the following precautions to prevent escape of fires authorized by the permit:

  • The permittee shall provide at the site during light-up and for actively patrolling and preventing escape of fires authorized by this permit at least one adult persons equipped with suitable hand tools to effectively safeguard the fires or equipment and an equipment operator. The required tools and equipment are at the discretion of the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief. 
  • Any additional special conditions will be indicated in your permit.

The permittee shall extinguish all fires completely on or before the expiry date of the permit; or shall extinguish them forthwith upon suspension or cancellation of the permit; or when instructed to do so by Bowen Island Fire Rescue.

Category 3 Burn Permit Application

Category 3 Burning Permit

Complete the information below and submit. You will not receive an automatic receipt when the form is submitted. Within 2 business days you will receive confirmation of your burning permit via email.

Name
Address (location of burning)(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY

Information collected on this form are done so in compliance with the Freedom of Information of Protection of Privacy Act. The information collected will only be available to Fire Department staff for the purposes of carrying out their duties. The information will be deleted after one year.