Curtain Burner On The Way (KELOWNA)

Reposted as Council was looking for staff report on the purchase of this type of equipment.

Castanet by Wayne Moore - Story: 28173March 30, 2007

The Regional District of the Central Okanagan has found a better way to dispose of beetle infested trees and wood debris from regional parks. The Regional District Board will apply to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for funding to purchase an air curtain burner. The devise will allow the district to dispose of materials in an environmentally safe manner. Regional District Communications Officer, Bruce Smith, says a test of a curtain burner a year ago proved to be very successful. "We had a UBCM grant to help fund a curtain burner when it was here for two months early in 2006 when we were disposing of beetle infested timber from Mission Creek Regional Park," says Smith. He says the air curtain burner, which basically prevents gasses, smoke and other particles from getting into the air, comes with a price-tag between $100,000 and $150,0000. "We've seen how effective they are and we know the demand for service is going to increase in the future, not only with the pine beetle threat, but in the disposal of ground cover and wood debris as we try to make our parks and other properties more fire safe and fire smart." Smith says the UBCM has funding available for such a purchase. In the meantime, the Regional District will use open burning to dispose of about 100 beetle infested trees over the next month when venting and air quality indices permit. The Regional District could take possession of an air curtain burner later this year.