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Comox Valley air quality advisory lifted, but debris fires limited

The Ministry of Environment has ended the air quality advisory for Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland due to improving air quality.

The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Island Health, has ended the air quality advisory for Courtenay/Comox/Cumberland due to improving air quality.

Some restrictions remain as the fog that earlier trapped an unacceptably high amount of fine particulates in the air lingers.

  • As pollution may occur from open burning, an exemption of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (Sections 2(i) and 4(2)(a)) that allows open burning of debris to occur without a permit or approval from the Ministry of Environment has been lifted.
  • Through Monday, no new fires may be initiated in the Comox Valley within a 15-kilometre radius from Courtenay City Hall and pursuant to Section 4(2)(c) of the regulation, no additional material may be added to existing fires.
  • Contravention of these provisions may be subject to a fine under the regulation.

— Ministry of Environment