Armstrong backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Armstrong?

Armstrong, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	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.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 5.2(a); Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 5.3; Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 1.2(f) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 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. Competent Person” means a person of eighteen years or older
Burning yard waste	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.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 5.1 and 5.3(a); Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 1.2(ll); Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 5.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. compostable materials, garden waste, food waste, animal carcasses and manure, between Nov 1st and April 30th, to farmers, starting 1 hour after sunrise ending by 4 pm or 2 hours before sunset, whichever is
Permit	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.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 5.4; Campfire Restrictions are Changing, City of Armstrong (September 3, 2026), City notice, Sept 3, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department: 250.546.6708
Fire bans	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.Campfire Restrictions are Changing, City of Armstrong (September 3, 2026), City notice, Sept 3, 2026 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Instead of burning	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).Solid Waste Collection and Management, Solid Waste Collection page; Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, Regional District of North Okanagan, RDNO Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. restricted to the volume of a full-size pickup bed or less per day
Fine	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).Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 5; Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 1889, 2022, Schedule 5, s. 5(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Column 4 represents the fine payable if payment is received within 30 days
Bylaw	City of Armstrong Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020 (consolidated to include Bylaw No. 1930, 2024).Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020, consolidated to Bylaw 1930, 2024, s. 1 (Title) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the City of Armstrong Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1858, 2020.

How it works

The City of Armstrong's Fire Prevention Bylaw 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.

Burning compostable materials and garden waste is not allowed. Other open-air burning needs a permit from the Fire Chief or designate.

Steps

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.
For anything larger, ask the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department at 250-546-6708 about a permit.

Good to know

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.
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.
Ticket for burning contrary to the general regulations, or lighting a fire when prohibited: $250 ($200 if paid within 30 days).