Type(s)
Public Notice
UPDATE September 29, 2026:
Effective Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. (noon), the ban on Category 2 and 3 open fires will be rescinded in North Cowichan.
The fall open burning window will take place from September 30 at noon until November 30. Open burning during this time is only permitted in limited circumstances in North Cowichan:
If your property is inside North Cowichan’s Urban Containment Boundary* (UCB):
- Property must be 2 acres or greater
- Owner/tenant must obtain a municipal permit (no fee)
- Only when the venting index** is good
- Fire size and location setbacks comply with both the Fire Protection Bylaw and Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
If your property is outside the UCB*:
- Only when the venting index is good
- Fire size and location setbacks comply with both the Fire Protection Bylaw andOpen Burning Smoke Control Regulation
The lifting of the ban also means that the following previously prohibited activities and items will be permitted:
- The use of wood-fired hot tubs & saunas, wood-fired pizza ovens and other wood-fired devices, unless vented through a structure that has a flue and is incorporated in a building.
- Tiki torches or similar torches
- Sky lanterns, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
- Binary exploding targets (E.G. for rifle target practice)
- Air curtain burners, carbonizers, controlled air incinerators
- Burning woody debris in outdoor stoves
- Fireworks (fireworks are only permitted in North Cowichan if you have an approved permit: www.northcowichan.ca/fireworks) (Firecrackers are prohibited year-round)
Visit the Coastal Fire Centre web page for more information and details of fire bans in other areas.
For more information, contact:
North Cowichan Fire Services
250-746-3107