Author: Rob Lewis

With all the recent rain, we are no longer asking people to register their burn piles.

Please note that large piles that have stumps, or are machine built always require a permit which you can get by calling the hall.

Keep smoke etiquette in mind, check the ventilation index, and try to avoid burning a lot of green leaves or needles. Watch to make sure you aren’t smoking out your neighbors. As always, a supply of water and hand tools is required when burning.

All Category 2 backyard burning is now allowed. We ask everyone who will be doing a burn to please leave a message at the hall with your address and contact information. Category 3 piles (greater than 2 meters or containing large diameter logs or stumps) require a permit and must follow the venting index.

Be kind to your neighbours and watch the smoke from your piles to make sure it is going up and not sideways. Also try and avoid burning green leaves or branches as they create a lot of unnecessary smoke.

The Province has banned all category 2 and category 3 burning until further notice. Campfires of less than half meter in diameter (category 1) are currently still allowed.

For all those who have asked, and those who want to ask….YES…we are chipping yard waste again this year.

The current target date for the start of chipping is December 4th. The program remains the same. Please place the branches aligned in one direction, nothing larger than 10 cm at the base, no invasive species, no leaf piles, and no construction debris. Your piles should be at the edge of the road and not interfere with traffic.

If you have any questions, please contact the firehall (250.335.2611) and we will be glad to help.

Many have already heard, but as of noon Wednesday September 27, the ban on campfires and backyard burns has been lifted. We always ask that for backyard burns people look to see if the venting index is good so that you don’t smoke out your neighbours.

With the hot dry weather coming this weekend, we have made he decision to shut down back yard burns as of this weekend. If you have an existing permit please consider that it is over as of Saturday. If we get a reprieve in the weather we may well allow burning again, but with a wildfire already going on Vancouver Island the prudent thing to do is to minimize risk.

If you see smoke in Helliwell……all is well. The province is continuing its work with a contractor to remove fuels via contained burning.

Things to remember:

• Please align all your branches in one direction with the thick ends all together
• Nothing thicker than 16 cm (6″)
• Nothing longer than 32′
• Have your piles at the end of your driveway by the starting date but please don’t block traffic
• NO invasive species such as Scotch Broom, English Holly, Knotweed or Hogweed
• NO lumber or construction waste
• NO bags of leaves or grass clippings

This is a great program that removes fuel that can feed a wildfire near your house as well as improving the quality of our air by reducing burn piles.

We are sad to say that we have had to cancel fireworks this year due to the dry conditions.

While it might rain before Halloween, we just can’t be sure that it will, and so we had to decide to hold off.