{"title":"Armstrong backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Armstrong?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"shared","owner_label":"More than one level of government","owner_body":null,"short_answer":"In the City of Armstrong, the Fire Prevention Bylaw allows small confined fires for cooking, recreation or ceremony in an approved fire pit, and nothing larger without a Fire Chief's permit. Burning garden waste is not allowed. Check the current campfire status before you light.","aliases":["open burning armstrong","burn permit armstrong","campfire armstrong","fire pit rules armstrong"],"cost":"Not stated. Permit fees are \"as determined from time to time by bylaw\", and no burning permit fee was found in the Rates, Fees and Charges Bylaw.","how_long":"Under a permit, burning is Monday to Friday only, from 1 hour after sunrise until 4 p.m. or 2 hours before sunset (whichever is later), for no more than 2 days.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department (non-emergency)","value":"250-546-6708"},{"type":"online","label":"City public notices (current campfire status)","value":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw 1858, 2020, consolidated (PDF)","url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Armstrong fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Armstrong yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Armstrong bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Yes. Small confined fires for cooking, recreation or ceremony are allowed: in an approved fire pit, fireplace or barbecue with a non-combustible container and spark arrestor, no larger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide. Site more than 5 m from the property line; a competent person (18 or older) must stay in charge; no fires on City land or streets.","short":"Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5.2(a)","quotes":["small confined fires used for cooking in grills and barbeques, recreational or ceremonial purposes;","that the fire be no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width","A competent person must be responsible for the care and control of such fire until"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5.3","quotes":["brush or structures is more than five meters from the property line;","A competent person must be responsible for the care and control of such fire until","any other property owned by the City of Armstrong."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 1.2(f)","quotes":["Competent Person” means a person of eighteen years or older"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Burning compostable materials and garden waste is not allowed (prohibited materials). Other open-air burning only under a Fire Chief's permit: farmers, orchardists and golf courses Nov 1 to April 30, or twice a year up to two weeks in total. Under a permit, burning is Monday to Friday only, from 1 hour after sunrise until 4 p.m. or 2 hours before sunset (whichever is later), no more than 2 days.","short":"No (yard waste banned); other burning needs a permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5.1 and 5.3(a)","quotes":["no person shall light, ignite or start, or allow, or cause to be lighted, ignited or started a fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air","burn any prohibited materials;","Under a open air burning permit, burning shall only be permitted Monday to Friday","starting 1 hour after sunrise ending by 4 pm or 2 hours before sunset, whichever is","later. The burning time may not exceed 2 days."]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 1.2(ll)","quotes":["compostable materials, garden waste, food waste, animal carcasses and manure,"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5.4","quotes":["between Nov 1st and April 30th, to farmers,","starting 1 hour after sunrise ending by 4 pm or 2 hours before sunset, whichever is"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"An open air burning permit is issued by the Fire Chief or designate (twice a year, up to two weeks annually; farmers, orchardists and golf courses Nov 1 to April 30). Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department: 250-546-6708.","short":"Yes, from Fire Chief; no fee stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5.4","quotes":["A open air burning permit may be issued twice per year, to a maximum of two","weeks annually, subject to the issuance of the appropriate permit approved by the","Fire Chief or Designate"]},{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/2026/09/03/campfire-ban-coming-into-effect-for-armstrong-2/","title":"Campfire Restrictions are Changing, City of Armstrong (September 3, 2026)","section":"City notice, Sept 3, 2026","quotes":["Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department: 250.546.6708"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The City posts campfire restrictions as public notices on its website and follows BC Wildfire Service decisions for the Kamloops Fire Centre. Check the City's public notices or call the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department at 250-546-6708.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/2026/09/03/campfire-ban-coming-into-effect-for-armstrong-2/","title":"Campfire Restrictions are Changing, City of Armstrong (September 3, 2026)","section":"City notice, Sept 3, 2026","quotes":["consistent with the BC Wildfire Service’s decision to lift the campfire prohibition throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre","Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department: 250.546.6708"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Curbside green waste collection every second week (one container or two compostable bags), plus free yard and garden waste drop-off at the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station (limit of one full-size pickup bed per day).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/solid-waste-collection-management/","title":"Solid Waste Collection and Management, City of Armstrong","section":"Solid Waste Collection page","quotes":["Bi-weekly manual green waste collection in resident-provided containers or compostable bags.","Green waste is accepted free of charge year-round at the RDNO landfill."]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/armstrongspallumcheen-ddf","title":"Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"RDNO Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station page","quotes":["restricted to the volume of a full-size pickup bed or less per day"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Burning contrary to the general regulations (s. 5.3): $250, or $200 if paid within 30 days of receiving the ticket. Lighting a fire when prohibited (s. 5.1): $250 ($200).","short":"Ticket $250 ($200 if paid in 30 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 5 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["Burning contrary to general regulations 5.3 (a, b, c, $250.00 $200.00","Light, ignite, start, or allow or cause a fire when 5.1 $250.00 $200.00"]},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 5 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 5(b)","quotes":["Column 4 represents the fine payable if payment is received within 30 days"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Armstrong Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020 (consolidated to include Bylaw No. 1930, 2024).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","section":"s. 1 (Title)","quotes":["the City of Armstrong Fire","Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe City of Armstrong's [Fire Prevention Bylaw](https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074) allows small confined fires for cooking, recreation or ceremony. Use an approved fire pit, fireplace or barbecue with a non-combustible container and spark arrestor, no larger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide. Keep the site more than 5 m from the property line, and have a competent person aged 18 or older in charge. No fires on City land or streets. The bylaw sets no maximum fire size beyond the container.\n\nBurning compostable materials and garden waste is not allowed. Other open-air burning needs a permit from the Fire Chief or designate.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For a campfire, check the City's public notices for the current restriction. The City follows BC Wildfire Service decisions for the Kamloops Fire Centre.\n2. For anything larger, ask the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department at 250-546-6708 about a permit.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The Fire Chief issues permits twice a year, up to two weeks in total annually. Farmers, orchardists and golf courses may burn from November 1 to April 30. Whether a home owner can get one for yard waste is not stated.\n- For yard waste, use curbside green waste collection every second week, or the free drop-off at the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station (a full-size pickup bed or less per day). See the yard waste answer.\n- Ticket for burning contrary to the general regulations, or lighting a fire when prohibited: $250 ($200 if paid within 30 days).","sources":[{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/132074","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://armstrong.civicweb.net/document/165574","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 5 (PDF), City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/solid-waste-collection-management/","title":"Solid Waste Collection and Management, City of Armstrong","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/armstrongspallumcheen-ddf","title":"Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, Regional District of North Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.cityofarmstrong.bc.ca/2026/09/03/campfire-ban-coming-into-effect-for-armstrong-2/","title":"Campfire Restrictions are Changing, City of Armstrong (September 3, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire.json"}}