Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation
The Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (OBSCR) outlines open burning rules.
These rules ensure burning is done with minimal risk to human and environmental health and minimizes smoke from open burning, especially where people live.
On this page
Before you burn
Before burning, you must explore every reasonable alternative, including:
- Chipping
- Mulching
- Transporting your material to a green-waste recycling facility
You also need to minimize the amount of material to be burnt.
Find your smoke sensitivity zone
The province is broken into 3 smoke sensitivity zones:
- High
- Medium
- Low
The open burning rules are based on these zones.
Before burning:
- Find out which smoke sensitivity zone you live in
- Review Information for All Burners (PDF, 955KB)
Open burning rules based on zones
Review these zone and situation factsheets to understand the open burning rules in your area.
Factsheets have information on:
- Seasonal burning start and end times
- Burning setbacks
- Ventilation index requirements
Zone specific rules
Choose the factsheet that applies to the zone where you live:
- High Smoke Sensitivity Zone (PDF, 190KB)
- Medium Smoke Sensitivity Zone (PDF, 204KB)
- Low Smoke Sensitivity Zone (PDF, 887KB)
Situation specific rules
For local or Indigenous governments reducing vegetative debris to minimize wildfire risk:
For large amounts of diseased vegetation that you need to destroy by burning to prevent spread of pests or pathogens:
Air curtain incinerators
Regardless of your smoke sensitivity zone, if you're using an air curtain incinerator, follow these instructions:
- Air Curtain Incinerator Flowchart (PDF, 174KB)
- For guidance on using an air curtain incinerator
- Air Curtain Incinerator Factsheet (PDF, 140KB)
Keeping records
Use the Open Burning Record Sheet (PDF, 78KB) if you need to create a record of your burn.
Contact us
- For regulation questions, email OBSCR@gov.bc.ca
- For general air quality questions, contact BC Air Quality
