Wednesday, May 1 is when open burning of any kind is banned in Surrey, from now until mid-autumn.
Surrey Fire Service (SFS) reminds citizens and visitors about the burn ban during a time when higher temperatures and dry weather conditions present an increased risk of brush fires and nuisance smoke.
In 2023, SFS responses to brush/grass fire incidents continued to trend higher than the five-year average, according to Darren Major, assistant fire chief. From May 1 until Nov. 1 last year, Surrey fire crews attended more than 809 brush/grass fire incidents.
Open burning, including backyard fires and beach fires, are not permitted in Surrey. “Any fire service attendance to an open burning complaint will require extinguishment and may be subject to cost recovery,” Major noted in a news release.
Natural gas, propane or charcoal briquettes are permitted as long as they are being used in ULC/CSA-approved devices for that particular product. Charcoal briquettes are allowed on private property but may be prohibited at Surrey parks and beaches, including when the fire danger rating is at high or extreme.
Details are posted on surrey.ca/about-surrey/surrey-fire-service/burning-regulations-and-permits. Email fireprevention@surrey.ca with questions, or call the Surrey Fire Prevention Division, 604-543-6780.
In Surrey, burning permits are valid only from Jan. 1 to April 30 and Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, at the Fire Prevention Office at Fire Hall #1, located at 8767 132 St., in Newton.