BX Swan Lake firefighters were tasked with putting out a burning slash pile that broke multiple rules Saturday. 

Fire Chief Bill Wacey said crews responded to the slash pile on Pottery Road in Vernon just before 10 a.m. Jan. 18. 

The slash pile sent thick black smoke overhead and was originally called in as a structure fire. 

When crews arrived at the farm property, they discovered a slash pile containing railway ties, a material that is prohibited from being burned. 

Wacey said on top of the prohibited material, Saturday "was not a good burning day."

He explained that the venting level needs to be above 55 per cent, the legal limit for the region, in order to burn. While it may have appeared to be a good burning day, the venting level was not sufficient, Wacey said. 

"If it's not (55 per cent), that means the atmospheric pressure is too much and the smoke tends to stay down low on the ground, which would obviously inhibit other people's comfort," the fire chief said. 

"Along with the other aspect of it, it has to follow along with the mixing level. It's the scientific expression, the mixing level of the air with the smoke. So if it's rising high enough, it would normally mix, and if it's a good venting level. But it was not good burning today."

Wacey said people wanting to burn have to check the venting levels that are issued by Environment Canada. The venting index can be checked on the Regional District of North Okanagan's (RDNO) . People can also call the RDNO at 250-550-3749 to confirm whether the venting index is high enough on the day they plan to burn. 

While the property owners did have the required permit for the fire, Wacey said they "got away with a good warning" for breaking the rules by burning the railway ties on a day with insufficient venting.

Fines for improper burning can be up to $2,000. 

Fire crews pulled apart and extinguished the slash pile, which also contained items that are allowed to be burned, such as garden waste and prunings.

"There's quite a long list of things that are prohibited from burning," Wacey cautioned.

Properties burning slash piles must also be at least one hectare in size in order to burn, which Wacey said was the case Saturday. 

"But at the end of the day you have to follow the full set of regulations, not just pick and choose," he added. 

More information on open burning, including free applications for burning permits, can be found at , where the regional district's full can also be found.