---
title: Ashcroft backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Ashcroft?"
place: Ashcroft, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/ashcroft
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: Village of Ashcroft
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Ashcroft backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Ashcroft?

**Short answer:** In Ashcroft, you may have a campfire in a fire pit if you first get a campfire permit from the Village office. Burning yard waste, leaves or clippings is not allowed, even in a campfire.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Village of Ashcroft, https://ashcroftbc.ca)  
**Cost:** The bylaw, the application form and the Fees and Charges Bylaw state no permit fee. Breaking the Outdoor Burning Bylaw is a fine of $100 or more on conviction, up to the Offence Act maximum, plus fire department costs.  
**How long:** A permit is valid only for the date and location given and expires December 31 each year. It is not transferable.  
**Where:**
- In person: Village Office, 601 Bancroft Street, Ashcroft, BC V0K 1A0 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Phone: Village Office, 250-453-9161
- Phone: Fire Chief, Ashcroft Volunteer Fire Department, 250-457-0470
- Phone: Boston Flats Eco-Depot (TNRD, for yard waste), 250-377-8673

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Allowed, with a permit, in a fire pit burning seasoned firewood, no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide, for recreation, cooking or First Nation ceremony. Pit at least 3 m from buildings, property lines and anything flammable, under 60 cm high and 1 m wide, enclosed sides of brick, concrete or heavy-gauge metal, spark screen on top, on mineral soil with a cleared fuel break. Inspected and approved by the Bylaw Officer or Fire Chief.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 5(f)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "An outdoor campfire defined as an open fire that burns seasoned firewood in a fire pit. Fire size must be no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width" … "have enclosed sides made of brick, concrete or heavy-gauge metal, have a mesh screen to stop sparks on top." … "Fire pits must be inspected and approved by the Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Fire Chief or designate." … "The campfire pit must be on mineral soil and have a fuel break around the firepit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** No. All outdoor burning is prohibited except the listed exceptions (campfires, propane or gas fire devices, BBQs and smokers, burning that is part of a farm operation, and fire-department interface burning). Leaves, yard waste, tree, hedge or grass clippings may not be burned, even in a campfire.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 4, 5](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "All outdoor burning of any combustible material or combination of materials by any person is prohibited within the municipal boundaries of the Village." … "Notwithstanding Section 4, the following is permitted within the Village boundaries:"
  - Source: [Burning Permit, Campfire Application, Campfire permit conditions](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Burning-Permit-Campfire-Application.pdf)
  - Official wording: "NO lumber, plywood, leaves, yard waste, construction material waste, plastic, tree, hedge or grass clippings"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** Yes for campfires: apply for a campfire permit from the Village office before lighting. It is valid only for the date and location given, expires December 31 each year, is not transferable, and the Corporate Officer decides whether to issue it. The bylaw, application form and Fees bylaw state no fee.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 6-10](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Permits are issued from the Village office" … "All permits expire December 31st each calendar year." … "A permit shall not be transferable." … "All persons wanting a burning permit for Campfires or Ceremonial fires must complete the application"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** Campfires are allowed all year unless a campfire ban has been put in place by the Village or the Ministry of Forests. During a ban, permit holders are told by email and their permit is suspended until further notice.
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 5(f)(iii)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Campfires are permitted all year around unless a campfire ban has been implemented by the Village or the Ministry of Forests."
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, Schedule B](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "your campfire permit will be under suspension until further notice."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** The Boston Flats Eco-Depot (operated by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, 1180 Campbell Hill Dr E, Cache Creek, 250-377-8673) takes tree trimmings and yard waste at no charge (some conditions apply). The Village garbage service does not take yard waste, and no curbside yard waste pickup is described.
  - Source: [Recycling Transfer Station, Boston Flats Eco-Depot, Compost](https://ashcroftbc.ca/service/recycling-transfer-station/)
  - Official wording: "Items such as tree timings, and yard waste can be brought to the Boston Flats Eco-Depot and disposed of at no charge (some conditions apply)." … "1180 Campbell Hill Dr E, Cache Creek 250-377-8673"
  - Source: [https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Solid-Waste-Collection-Removal-and-Disposal-and-Amendment-Bylaws-785-798-814.pdf, s. 38(t)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Solid-Waste-Collection-Removal-and-Disposal-and-Amendment-Bylaws-785-798-814.pdf)
  - Official wording: "packaging or crating materials, and (t) yard waste."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Outdoor Burning Bylaw: on conviction a fine of $100 or more, up to the Offence Act maximum, plus fire-department charge-out costs. Good Neighbour Bylaw notices: burning prohibited materials $250 ($175 early, $325 late); burning unpermitted materials or nuisance smoke $130 ($91, $169).
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 13, 14](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is liable to a fine not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than the maximum penalty provided under the Offence Act" … "Bylaw Infractions will be fined as per the Village of Ashcroft Bylaw Notice Adjudication Bylaw No. XXX"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 879, 2025, Part 5 and Schedule D](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw-No.-879-Good-Neighbour-Bylaw-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "The following contraventions are designated as ticketable offences under Bylaw No. 845." … "Contravention Section Penalty Early Late 2nd 3rd+ Payment Payment Offence Offences (within 5 (after 30 days) days)" … "Burning prohibited 5.1 $250 $175 $325 $500 $750 materials" … "Nuisance smoke from 5.3 $130 $91 $169 $300 $500 burning"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022 (also Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 879, 2025, Part 5).
  - Source: [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, s. 1](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Village of Ashcroft Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022"
  - Source: [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 879, 2025, Part 5 and Schedule D, s. 5.1](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw-No.-879-Good-Neighbour-Bylaw-2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf) prohibits all outdoor burning except listed exceptions: campfires, portable propane or gas fire devices, barbecues and smokers, burning that is part of a farm operation, and fire department interface burning. Leaves, yard waste, and tree, hedge or grass clippings may not be burned, even in a campfire.

Campfires need a permit from the Village. They are for recreation, cooking or First Nation ceremony, and burn seasoned firewood in a pit. The fire may be no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide.

## Steps

1. Apply for a campfire permit from the Village office before you light the fire. The Corporate Officer decides whether to issue it.
2. Build the pit at least 3 m from buildings, property lines and anything flammable, under 60 cm high and 1 m wide, with enclosed sides of brick, concrete or heavy-gauge metal.
3. Put a spark screen on top, and set the pit on mineral soil with a cleared fuel break.
4. Have the pit inspected and approved by the Bylaw Officer or Fire Chief.

## Good to know

- Campfires are allowed all year unless the Village or the Ministry of Forests has put a campfire ban in place. During a ban, permit holders are told by email and their permit is suspended until further notice. Ask the Village for the current status.
- Portable propane or natural gas fire devices are allowed at least 3 m from buildings, wood items, trees and shrubs, not under trees or wires, on a non-combustible surface.
- Take tree trimmings and yard waste to the Boston Flats Eco-Depot, run by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (no charge, some conditions apply).
- Bylaw notices under the Good Neighbour Bylaw: burning prohibited materials $250 ($175 if paid early, $325 if paid late); burning unpermitted materials or nuisance smoke $130 ($91, $169).

## What you'll need

- Campfire permit application

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Permit, Campfire Application (PDF)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Burning-Permit-Campfire-Application.pdf)
- [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022 (PDF)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Ashcroft fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/fireworks.md)
- [Ashcroft yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/yard-waste.md)
- [Ashcroft bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Ashcroft unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/unsightly-property.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Cache Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/backyard-fire.md)
- [Logan Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/logan-lake/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lillooet](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lillooet/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lytton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lytton/backyard-fire.md)
- [Kamloops](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-fire.md)
- [Merritt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/merritt/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Outdoor Burning Bylaw No. 849, 2022, Village of Ashcroft (PDF)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Outdoor-Burning-2022-Bylaw-No.-849.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Burning Permit, Campfire Application, Village of Ashcroft (PDF)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Burning-Permit-Campfire-Application.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 879, 2025, Part 5 and Schedule D, Village of Ashcroft (PDF)](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Bylaw-No.-879-Good-Neighbour-Bylaw-2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Recycling Transfer Station, Village of Ashcroft](https://ashcroftbc.ca/service/recycling-transfer-station/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Solid-Waste-Collection-Removal-and-Disposal-and-Amendment-Bylaws-785-798-814.pdf](https://ashcroftbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Solid-Waste-Collection-Removal-and-Disposal-and-Amendment-Bylaws-785-798-814.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with Village of Ashcroft. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/ashcroft/backyard-fire/_