Ventilation Index
Get information about B.C's ventilation index and the rules on open burning.
On this page:
- Understand the Ventilation Index
- Understand Smoke Sensitivity Zones
- Ventilation Index resources
- Open burning rules
Understand the Ventilation Index
Before you burn, you must check the Ventilation Index which changes daily based on the:
- Location in the province
- Atmospheric conditions
The ventilation index is a forecast released daily by Environment and Climate Change Canada. It estimates how well the atmosphere disperses smoke on any given day. The index is similar to a weather forecast, except it provides information on how well smoke will mix into the air.
To predict ventilation, the index uses both the:
- Mixing height of the atmosphere
- This means, how high smoke will rise
- Wind speed
With a higher mixing height and sufficient wind speeds, smoke should disperse and not impact neighbours.
Forecast categories
The forecast is broken down into Good, Fair and Poor ventilation. To start a burn in most populated areas of the Province, a ventilation index of Good is required.
Often in the winter, there are long periods of time where the ventilation index is Poor. During these times please be patient and check conditions daily - there will be a Good day again. More favorable ventilation is often seen in the fall and spring or ‘shoulder’ seasons of burning.
Before burning, you also need to check the Open burning rules
Understand Smoke Sensitivity Zones
The province is broken into zones that are based on where the most people live. They are high, medium and low. The rules you need to follow are different depending on what zone you are in.
To find out more, visit Smoke Sensitivity Zone Maps
Ventilation Index resources
Forecast and Smoke Sensitivity Zone interactive map
Access the Ventilation Index Forecast and Smoke Sensitivity Zone Interactive Map for the current ventilation forecast and find out if you can burn today at your location. It is the combination of ventilation forecast and smoke sensitivity zone at your location that determines:
- If you can burn
- How long you can burn
Forecast widget
The Ventilation Index Forecast Widget allows an organization's website to share an up-to-date forecast for their chosen zone. Find out how to add this widget to your website.
Zones
View a static map of Ventilation Index zones (PDF, 292KB) to find what zone you live in.
Archived reports
For historical reports, visit the ventilation index archive.
Open burning rules
- Before burning, check the BCWS Fire Bans and Prohibitions
- Other outdoor burning rules are in the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.