Nelson Fire Chief Encourages Yard Waste Clean-Up

Free drop-off for the month of May at Grohman Transfer Station; Burning Period Approved

April 18, 2018

Nelson, BC - Nelson Fire & Rescue Services Chief Len MacCharles is encouraging residents to reduce the amount of deadfall, woody debris and long grasses around their homes to minimize the fire risk posed by these ground fuels. This is especially the case given the dry summer and serious wildfire season we experienced last year. “This is about being ‘FireSmart’ and now is the time of year to make a difference around your home and the community for the coming summer and fall.”

We suggest the best way for residents to rid their properties of these fuels is to take them to the Grohman Narrows Transfer Station. Charges are only $5 per load for yard waste loads up to 2.5 cubic metres ($50 for large loads and $25/ton if chipped) and NO CHARGE for the month of May.

Alternatively, the Chief has approved a burn period subject to weather and local fire conditions beginning Saturday April 21 to May 6, 2018 (inclusive). This burn period is for the purpose of reducing non-compostable woody debris, which is clean, dry unstained, untreated wood resulting from residential yard clean up. This does not include the burning of yard waste or vegetative matter such as leaves, grass clippings, vegetable stalks or similar. Burning of woody debris requires a permit and is subject to the following conditions (excerpt from Bylaw No. 3268, 2014):

a competent person:

• must be at all times present and in charge of the fire while burning or smoldering;
• must be provided with efficient appliances and equipment to prevent the fire from getting beyond control or causing damage or becoming dangerous to life or property;
• must ensure that such fire is completely extinguished;
• no burning maybe carried out within 5 metres from any forest land, Buildings, structures, commercial or industrial property or any Combustibles;
• burning may only be carried out during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;
• only clean, dry, solid and untreated wood and Woody Debris collected or accumulated from the Owner or Occupant’s land on which the burning will take place may be burned;
• no pile of burning Woody Debris may exceed 1.5 metres in diameter or 1 metre in height;
• accelerants, building materials and non-organic material are not permitted and may not be burned;

despite the issuance of a permit, no burning maybe carried out if:

• it would be unsafe to do so due to climatic conditions or any other hazard;
• if the air quality venting index is not good or is otherwise deemed by the Ministry of Environment or Ministry of Health to be not suitable for burning; and
• the Owner or Occupant must provide proof of fire insurance in a form and with content and deductible satisfactory to the Fire Chief;

Permits must be acquired in person, at Nelson Fire & Rescue Services, located at 919 Ward Street, and payment for the $10 fee can be paid by cash or cheque at the time of issuance and proof of fire insurance for the property conducting the burning.

Residents are required to follow the Ministry of Environment’s Venting Index Guidelines or call 1-888-281-2992 and only burn on days when venting is listed as “Good” on the day of burning to minimize any accumulation of smoke-caused air pollution. Residents are also required to report to Nelson Fire & Rescue on the days they intend to burn at (250) 352-3103.

Contravention of Bylaw No. 3268 may result in suspension or revocation of the permit and/or a fine or fee for service.

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For more information please contact:

Nelson Fire & Rescue Services

919 Ward Street

Nelson, BC

T: (250) 352-3103

F: (250) 352-6578