Careless debris burning is a major cause of woodland fires. Please exercise extreme caution with all potential sources of wildfire ignition and avoid senseless and potentially deadly wildfires.

Tips For Safe Burning

• Avoid burning on dry, windy days.
• Be aware of where your smoke is going. Avoid burning when your smoke will be bothersome to neighbors or sensitive locations such as highways.
• Before doing any burning, establish wide control lines down to bare mineral soil at least the same height as the pile being burnt. Example; a 1 metre high fire should have a minimum of a 1 metre fire guard around it. The larger the debris pile, the wider the control line needed to ensure that burning materials won’t be blown or roll off the pile into vegetation outside the line.
• Burn late in the day after the wind has quieted and humidity begins to increase, usually after 5 p.m.
• Check to see if weather changes are expected. Outdoor burning should be postponed if shifts in wind direction, higher winds or wind gusts are forecast.
• Keep water and hand tools ready in case your fire should attempt to spread.
• Stay abreast of wildfire danger levels and heed warnings and bans on outdoor burning.
• Stay with all outdoor fires until they are completely out.
• The use of burning barrels is prohibited.
• Know your local burning bylaws. Within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Creston, debris burning can only take place during the months of April and October of each year. A burning permit must be obtained at either the town hall or at the fire department. Outside the municipal boundaries in regional district areas, review burning regulations set forth by the BC Forest Service.

Please download the outdoor burning permit information and guideline document (PDF) to review the various requirements on open burning within our community.