Open burning no longer permitted in Thompson, Okanagan

The open burning season has come to an early end in the Okanagan and Thompson regions.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy partnered with public health officials today, March 26, to issue an open burning restriction for all high sensitivity areas across the province, including the Thompson and Okanagan valleys.

No new fires may be started during this time.

A map of affected areas is available on the provincial interactive venting index webpage here.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan issued the notice for all areas within the City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, District of Peachland, District of Lake Country and Regional District of Central Okanagan.

The decision is part of efforts to reduce excess air pollution in populated areas and comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in B.C.

Evidence has shown exposure to air pollution can increase susceptibility to respiratory viral infections.

The ban is effective through April 15.

For more information about the opening burning ban go here.

Open burning is no longer permitted in High Sensitivity zones outlined in yellow. SUBMITTED/ Ministry of Environment


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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