Open burning & fires across British Columbia
Can I have a backyard fire? Do I need a burn permit?
69 of 161 municipalities in British Columbia have an adopted bylaw on open burning & fires on file. Each row links the municipality's answer page and, where transcribed, the full text of the document.
| Municipality | Adopted document | Key facts | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mile House District Municipality |
Open Burning Bylaw No. 951 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or designate · allowed fire types: ['campfires in designated areas (permit)', 'BBQ with charcoal/natural gas/propane for cooking', 'agricultural burning in Agricultural/Industrial zones with permit'] | 2026-08-28 |
| Abbotsford City |
Fire Service Bylaw, 2026 (No. 3710-2026) - Part 10 (Open Fires / Open Burning)
+1 more adopted 2026-03-31 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: fire chief · allowed conditions: Campfires in City-provided fire pits; ceremonial fires with 72-hour notice to fire department and fuel break established. | 2026-08-28 |
| Armstrong City |
Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020 (Consolidated)
adopted 2020-01-01 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed fire types: ['confined fires for cooking, recreational or ceremonial purposes (s. 5.2(a))', 'agricultural/orchard/golf course burning Nov 1–Apr 30 with permit, max 2 weeks/year, Mon-Fri, 1 hr after sunrise to 4 pm or 2 hrs before sunset'] | 2026-08-28 |
| Belcarra Village |
Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 627 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Fire training approved by Fire Chief; natural gas/propane barbecues for cooking; CSA/UCL-approved gas outdoor heaters with 1m clearance, constant supervision, and extinguishing agent present. | 2026-08-28 |
| Canal Flats Village |
Village of Canal Flats Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019
adopted 2019-07-22 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Small scale burning on private property with supervision, water supply, safe distance from structures, no fire ban, and no interference with neighbours. | 2026-08-28 |
| Castlegar City |
Open Air Burning | permit required: True · prohibited materials: tires, plastic, drywall, demolition waste, construction waste, paint and paint products, treated lumber, asphalt, asphalt products, rubber, fuel and lubricant containers, biomedical waste, tar paper, railway ties, manure (s.2.6) · conditions: daylight hours only (s.4.2.5); minimum 4 metres from property line or building (s.4.2.4); competent adult in charge at all times (s.3.9) | 2026-08-28 |
| Chase Village |
Village of Chase Outdoor Burning Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 942-2024 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Chetwynd District Municipality |
Wood Burning Appliance / Clean Air, Bylaw No. 963, 2012
adopted 2012-01-01 |
permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Must meet Environmental Management Act Regulations. Recreational fires allowed without advisory, seasoned firewood, supervised, extinguishing equipment, 5m setback. · fines: $100.00 to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) | 2026-08-28 |
| Chilliwack City |
Open Burning Bylaw No. 5038
+1 more |
permit required: True · permit issuer: the City · allowed conditions: Valid permit required. Burning season March to April or October to November. Ventilation index good. Not 5:00 pm to 7:00 am. Under 25 kilometres per hour. Seasoned vegetative debris. | 2026-08-28 |
| Colwood City |
Outdoor Burning Restrictions Bylaw | permit required: False · allowed conditions: Charcoal/gas/propane appliances, food smoking, firefighter training, City community events supervised by Fire Department; appliances between dawn and 10pm, not during high/extreme forest fire rating. · fines: $200.00 per offence (prohibited burning, burning in contravention, burning of prohibited materials); summary conviction up to $10,000.00; plus fire service response fees from $35.00–$800.00 per hour | 2026-08-28 |
| Comox Town |
Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw No. 1856 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Coquitlam City |
Fire Prevention and Life Safety Bylaw Number 3712, 2005 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Cooking appliances (propane, gas, charcoal); certified outdoor heaters; Fire Chief approved training, public safety, special circumstances; or valid permit on Agricultural Land Reserve. | 2026-08-28 |
| Courtenay City |
Fire Protective Services Bylaw No. 2556, 2008
adopted 2008-10-09 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Open Fire allowed with Burning Permit. Gas/charcoal cooking/heating appliances allowed without permit. Agricultural burning permitted with permit. | 2026-08-28 |
| Cranbrook City |
Fire Services Bylaw No. 3676, 2010
adopted 2010-04-26 |
permit required: True · allowed conditions: Barbeques, cooking fires, and campfires are exempt; land clearing debris burns allowed with permit between November 1 and April 30 only. | 2026-08-28 |
| Creston Town |
Open Burning Bylaw
+1 more |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: cooking fires in BBQ or fire pit not exceeding 0.5 metres in diameter using natural gas, propane, charcoal, or seasoned firewood permitted without permit; yard waste burning prohibited at all times; open burning permitted during daylight hours only; permit required for residential pile burning, field clearing, large piles, and land clearing | 2026-08-28 |
| Dawson Creek City |
Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (Consolidated) - Section 8-11 (Outdoor Fire & Open Burning)
adopted 2012-11-19 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| Fernie City |
Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, 2006
adopted 2006-01-01 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Director of Fire and Emergency Services · fire pit rules: fire pit permit required from Director of Fire and Emergency Services | 2026-08-28 |
| Gibsons Town |
Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 971 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Gold River Village |
Bylaw No 718, 2019 Open Fire Regulation | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or other authorized person · allowed conditions: October 15th-April 15th, daylight hours, R-1/R-2/C.D.1 zones, registered campfires, exempt appliances, land clearing debris with permit. | 2026-08-28 |
| Houston District Municipality |
Open Burning & Air Quality Bylaw No. 947, 2006 (As Amended) | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: lots greater than one hectare, separation of thirty (30) metres, venting index fifty-five (55) or greater, air quality index not below twenty-five (25), 7:00 a.m. to sunset | 2026-08-28 |
| Kamloops City |
Fire Prevention and Public Safety Bylaw No. 10-44, 2025
adopted 2026-01-13 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: With Fire Chief permit if safe; or without permit for Member training, BC Wildfire controlled burns, or training centre fires approved by Fire Chief. | 2026-08-28 |
| Kaslo Village |
Burning Bylaw No. 1213
adopted 2018-01-01 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Village of Kaslo Officer (including RCMP, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Public Works, CAO) · allowed conditions: Category 1 fires (cooking/ceremonial in fire pit ≤0.5m×0.5m) permitted any time without permit; Category 2–3 fires permitted Oct 1–May 15 without permit; Category 3–4 fires require permit and favourable venting index | 2026-08-28 |
| Keremeos Village |
Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 855 | allowed conditions: Burning permitted with good ventilation index, outside April 15–Oct 15 unless Fire Chief deems safe, using only seasoned firewood originating on-site. · fines: not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than the maximum penalty provided under the Offence Act | 2026-08-28 |
| Kimberley City |
Open Burning Bylaw No. 2627, 2018
adopted 2018-12-10 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Allowed with Permit (Special Event, Land Clearing, Forest Fuel, Recreational Fire Pit) or exceptions (barbecue, non-wood appliance, propane heater, government or training burn). | 2026-08-28 |
| Ladysmith Town |
1815 Fire Prevention | permit required: True · permit issuer: Officer · allowed conditions: Silviculture, Fire Department training, farm business burning, and campfires/outdoor fireplaces under 0.5 meters size and 5 meters from combustibles. | 2026-08-28 |
| Lake Country District Municipality |
Burning Bylaw 612 | permit required: True · allowed conditions: Permitted materials only, Oct 1-Dec 31 & Jan 1-Apr 30, 7am-sunset, Venting Index 'Good', properties >= 1 hectare. · fines: not less than $100.00 and not more than $2,000.00 | 2026-08-28 |
| Lake Cowichan Town |
878 Outdoor Burning Regulation | permit required: True · permit issuer: Officer · allowed conditions: Cooking fires <=4 sq ft, fire/rescue training, or permitted fires approved by Officer. | 2026-08-28 |
| Langford City |
Burning Bylaw No. 1532 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Open fire yard waste February 15 to March 15, October 15 to November 10 on .5 acre or greater residential. Campfires any day residential meeting s. 45 conditions. Barbeques exempt. | 2026-08-28 |
| Lytton Village |
Burning Bylaw 619, 2009 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Corporate Officer · allowed conditions: When Corporate Officer deems weather safe; wind must not exceed 20 km/h; flames not above 12 inches; adult attendance; burnable debris only. | 2026-08-28 |
| Maple Ridge City |
Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 5535-1997 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Issuer (Information Desk employee) or Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Ventilation index "good", daylight hours, supervision, distance rules, in "Area Open to Burning" with permit (Ag/Backyard) or exempt (cooking). | 2026-08-28 |
| McBride Village |
Burning Bylaw No. 680 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Village of McBride · allowed conditions: Permit holder may burn debris on parcel of origin; no prohibited materials; no burning ban; not during air quality advisory; supervised by person 19+. | 2026-08-28 |
| Merritt City |
Wood Burning Applications and Air Quality Bylaw 2012, 2001 | allowed conditions: Using permitted fuels in certified appliances (not outdoor solid-fuel), when no Air Quality Advisory and temperature warrants heating, unless no other heat. · fines: not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) | 2026-08-28 |
| Mission City |
Burning Bylaw 5962-2020
adopted 2020-01-01 |
permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Fire pits per Section 4.4; yard debris October to April good ventilation per Section 4.5; exceptions Section 4.3; or special occasion permit Section 3.1(c). | 2026-08-28 |
| Montrose Village |
#786 Fire Prevention Bylaw | permit required: True · permit issuer: Village Municipal office · allowed conditions: Residential campfires permitted with permit; clean firewood, 0.5m max pit, attended, water nearby, no wind, backyard location required. | 2026-08-28 |
| Nanaimo City |
Fire Protection and Life Safety Regulation Bylaw 2011 No. 7108 (Part 6 - open burning) | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or an Officer · allowed conditions: Training fires exempt; organic yard waste on lots >=1 acre Fridays/Saturdays sunrise-sunset April/November; cooking fires exempt if contained <=24 inches diameter, clean wood, <=2 hours. | 2026-08-28 |
| Nelson City |
Fire Regulation and Prevention Bylaw No. 3268, 2014
adopted 2014-08-11 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| New Denver Village |
Open Burning Bylaw No. 591, 2005 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Officer (RCMP, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Administrator, Confidential Secretary, Public Works Department) · allowed conditions: Category 2 fires (garden waste) and Category 3 fires (larger piles): April 1-May 15 and September 30-November 15 only; Category 3 requires permit; Category 4 (demolition waste) prohibited; Kootenay Ventilation Index must be 'Good' for Category 3 | 2026-08-28 |
| North Vancouver District Municipality |
Fire and Rescue Services Bylaw 8511 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Parksville City |
Bylaw 1428 - Outdoor Burning | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief of the City of Parksville · allowed conditions: Exemptions include BBQs, outdoor fireplaces, beach fires, campfires, fire dept training, ecosystem management, and agricultural clearing waste with approval between October 15 and November 15. | 2026-08-28 |
| Peachland District Municipality |
Consolidated Bylaw 1718 Fire and Life Safety & Smoke Regulatory Control.pdf | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief, or Officer in Command · allowed conditions: Permit required; land >= 1 hectare; permitted materials only; 7am-sunset (campfire till 11:30pm); 30m separation; no nuisance; good air quality; supervised. | 2026-08-28 |
| Penticton City |
Fire & Life Safety Bylaw No. 2004-57 (Consolidated 2020)
adopted 2004-07-19 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Barbecues, approved fireplaces, training, City fire pits. Permitted vegetative debris on >=1 hectare land, Venting Index >=55, dawn to dusk, adult supervision. | 2026-08-28 |
| Pitt Meadows City |
Burning Regulation Bylaw No. 2688, 2015 - Consolidated Version
adopted 2015-06-02 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| Port Alberni City |
Wood Burning Appliance Emissions Bylaw No. 4802 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Port Edward District Municipality |
Open Air Burning Bylaw No. 534 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Authorized Person (Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, RCMP Officer, or Public Works Superintendent) · allowed conditions: Garden refuse burning allowed 9am–7pm or before dusk, on originating property, no permit required. Cooking fires exempt anytime. | 2026-08-28 |
| Powell River City |
Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 1931, 2001 (Consolidated)
adopted 2001-01-01 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: dry garden refuse only, 09:00-15:00, April 1-30 and November 1-30, Ventilation Index forecast 'good' | 2026-08-28 |
| Prince George City |
Fire Protection and Emergency Response Bylaw No. 8272, 2013
adopted 2013-11-18 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Allowed if authorized under Clean Air Bylaw No. 8266 or by burning permit from Fire Chief; must comply with Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, BC Reg. 145/93. | 2026-08-28 |
| Quesnel City |
Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021 (open burning provisions) | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or his designate · allowed conditions: Permitted with Permit, or specific exceptions: outdoor cooking (propane/gas/charcoal), camp fires on private property meeting size/safety rules, or Fire Rescue authorized burning. | 2026-08-28 |
| Revelstoke City |
Fire Prevention, Protection and Control Services Bylaw No. 1772 (Section 5.0 Open Air Burning)
adopted 2005-03-29 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| Rossland City |
Fire Prevention and Burning Bylaw No. 2814, 2023
adopted 2023-09-11 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Manager of Public Works or designate · allowed conditions: Venting Index greater than 55; no hazardous wind or weather; no prohibited materials, garbage, yard waste; permit required unless exception. | 2026-08-28 |
| Saanich District Municipality |
Oil Burning Equipment and Flammable Liquid and Combustible Bylaw No. 9265 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: When inspected and approved by Fire Chief; compliance with BC Fire Code and CAN/CSA B139. | 2026-08-28 |
| Salmo Village |
719 – Fire Prevention (Consolidated with Bylaw 765) | allowed conditions: Excludes campfires, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor barbecue. Prohibited if hazardous weather or provincial ban. Public welfare emergency limit: one fire/week, max six hours. Comply with Smoke Control Regulation. · fines: not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) | 2026-08-28 |
| Salmon Arm City |
Wood Burning Appliance and Air Quality Bylaw No 3625
+1 more |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Permit required; venting index 'good' or 'fair'; specific start times; extinguished by 9:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.; safety distances from property lines. | 2026-08-28 |
| Sooke District Municipality |
Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 292 - Consolidated | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · restricted months: land clearing: January, February, March, April, November, December; special ceremonies: June, July, August, September require permit | 2026-08-28 |
| Surrey City |
Surrey Fire Services Bylaw, 2026, No. 22020 (Prevention and Suppression of Fires)
adopted 2026-06-29 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or their Authorized Designate · allowed conditions: Permit required; material native to property; competent adult in charge; owner permission if on another's land. | 2026-08-28 |
| Tahsis Village |
Outdoor Burning Regulation Bylaw No.516 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief or designate · allowed conditions: Garden refuse only, dried, on-property, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Oct 15th to Apr 14th, 1 metre, 7.5 meters from buildings, supervised 16+, water available, Ventilation Index "good". | 2026-08-28 |
| Taylor District Municipality |
Open Air Burning Bylaw 834-2019 | permit required: True · permit issuer: District Office · allowed conditions: Campfires exempt with conditions. Open burning: brush only, favorable ventilation, wind under 20km/h, outside 9pm-7am, clearances. | 2026-08-28 |
| Telkwa Village |
Open-Air Burning Bylaw No. 598 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief, Deputy Chief or their designate · allowed conditions: Fire pits/cooking fires permitted without permit 7:00am–1:00am if contained, no nuisance, adult supervision, firefighting equipment on hand. | 2026-08-28 |
| Terrace City |
Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2260
adopted 2022-01-01 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: City of Terrace Fire Department · allowed conditions: Small confined fires for cooking in grilles, barbecues, or fire pits (max 1m diameter, non-combustible receptacle, 3m from structures, supervised by adult 19+) are exempt from permit requirement. | 2026-08-28 |
| Tofino District Municipality |
Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 1071, 2008 (Consolidated Version) | allowed conditions: Burning allowed if exempted under sections 4, 5, 6 (cooking, campfires, beach fires, incinerators) and complying with supervision, location, time, fuel conditions. | 2026-08-28 |
| Trail City |
Fire Safety and Prevention Bylaw No. 2335, 1996 (Open Burning, ss.12-17)
adopted 1996-07-08 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Service · allowed conditions: Land clearing only with permit from Fire Service; all other open burning prohibited | 2026-08-28 |
| Ucluelet District Municipality |
Outdoor Burning Bylaw | allowed conditions: Campfires permitted if no restrictions, 3 (three) metres combustibles, water/hose/shovel nearby, 18 (eighteen) years attendant, beaches out by 10:00 pm, cool before abandonment. Portable apparatus max 15 (fifteen) centimeters. · fines: not more than $50,000 | 2026-08-28 |
| Vancouver City |
Fire By-law No. 12472 | — | 2026-08-28 |
| Vernon City |
Fire Services Bylaw #5635 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Director of Fire Rescue Services or Officer in Charge · allowed conditions: Campfires/outdoor fireplaces per Good Neighbour Bylaw; barbeques/hibachis for cooking; CSA/ULC-rated outdoor appliances; Director-authorized burning for hazard elimination or fire training. | 2026-08-28 |
| Victoria City |
Fire Prevention and Regulation Bylaw | permit required: True · permit issuer: Fire Chief · allowed conditions: Charcoal/gas/propane barbecues for cooking, CSA-approved liquid/gas outdoor appliances, and fires permitted in a Park under Parks Regulation Bylaw are exempt. | 2026-08-28 |
| Warfield Village |
Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 905, 2022
adopted 2022-05-16 |
permit required: True · permit issuer: Village Municipal office · allowed conditions: Residential campfire only; pit ≤0.5 m diameter; clean firewood; attended; water source present; no wind; no active fire ban. | 2026-08-28 |
| West Kelowna City |
Parks and Public Spaces Bylaw No. 0184, 2015 (consolidated to 0184.04)
adopted 2015-09-29 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| West Vancouver District Municipality |
Fire Rescue Bylaw No. 5163, 2021
adopted 2021-01-01 |
— | 2026-08-28 |
| Williams Lake City |
Fire Protection & Control Bylaw No. 2189, 2013
adopted 2013-09-10 |
permit issuer: Officers · allowed conditions: Cooking fires (briquettes), approved campground pits, factory pits (Schedule F), municipal burning, training, special occasion permit. · fines: not less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) and not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) | 2026-08-28 |
| shíshálh Nation First Nations Government District |
Burning & Smoke Release #. 2008-03 | permit required: True · permit issuer: Sechelt Fire Department · allowed conditions: Campfires (cooking, warmth, ceremonial) permitted unless banned by Fire Department; max 1m across and 1m high, min 7.5m from buildings; outdoor fires in incinerators permitted except for toxic materials and garden refuse Apr 16–Oct 14 | 2026-08-28 |
Nothing on file for open burning & fires
Absence here is explicit, not a gap: each municipality below was checked, and its status says why there is no document.
Other bylaws on file, none on this topic (91) — Alert Bay, Anmore, Ashcroft, Barriere, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Burns Lake, Cache Creek, Campbell River, Central Saanich, Clearwater, Clinton, Coldstream, Cumberland, Daajing Giids, Delta, Duncan, Elkford, Enderby, Esquimalt, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, Fraser Lake, Fruitvale, Golden, Grand Forks, Granisle, Greenwood, Harrison Hot Springs, Hazelton, Highlands, Hope, Hudson's Hope, Invermere, Kelowna, Kent, Kitimat, Langley, Langley, Lantzville, Lillooet, Lions Bay, Logan Lake, Lumby, Mackenzie, Masset, Metchosin, Midway, Nakusp, New Hazelton, New Westminster, North Cowichan, North Saanich, North Vancouver, Northern Rockies, Oak Bay, Oliver, Osoyoos, Pemberton, Port Alice, Port Coquitlam, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Port Moody, Pouce Coupe, Prince Rupert, Princeton, Qualicum Beach, Radium Hot Springs, Richmond, Sayward, Sechelt, Sicamous, Sidney, Silverton, Slocan, Smithers, Spallumcheen, Sparwood, Squamish, Stewart, Summerland, Sun Peaks, Tumbler Ridge, Valemount, Vanderhoof, View Royal, Wells, Whistler, White Rock, Zeballos.
No bylaws published online (1, verified negatives) — Port Clements.