---
title: Campbell River backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Campbell River?"
place: Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/campbell-river
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Campbell River
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Campbell River backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Campbell River, recreational fires in a fire pit, fireplace or barbecue no larger than 60 cm across are allowed without a permit, unless a fire ban or restriction applies. Other open burning of yard waste is not allowed in Area A (most properties) and only under conditions in Area B. Burning garbage is never allowed.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Campbell River, https://www.campbellriver.ca)  
**Cost:** Recreational fires: no permit and no charge. City Open Burning Permit (Area B, if used): $69 from January 1, 2026 ($73 from 2028). Municipal tickets: $200 for burning when prohibited or contrary to Area B conditions; $300 for burning rubber tires or restricted material.  
**How long:** In Area B, burning under the bylaw conditions is allowed only in daylight in October and April.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Campbell River Fire Department, 250-286-6266
- Email: Fire Department, fire@campbellriver.ca
- Online: Current Fire Restrictions, https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/current-fire-restrictions

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes. Recreational fires are allowed: wood burned for recreation, cooking or heat in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 60 cm (24 inches) across that is designed to confine the fire, or in a fully enclosed burner. No permit is needed. Never leave it unattended; light beach fires below the high tide line.
  - Source: [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated), s. 1 definition, s. 2.3(a)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "means the burning of wood for recreational purposes in a" … "permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 60 centimeters (24 inches) in diameter that is designed" … "permit requirements shall not apply to recreational fires;"
  - Source: [Outdoor Fire Safety, Beach and Backyard Fires](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/community-fire-safety/outdoor-fire-safety)
  - Official wording: "Never leave a fire unattended."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed in Area A (most properties), except recreational fires. In Area B, in daylight in October and April: a hand-piled fire up to 4 m³ on your own property, 4.6 m (15 ft) from lot lines, buildings and trees, with the fire department notified and not objecting, supervised by someone over 16 with a hose; or full provincial compliance and a City Open Burning Permit. Burning garbage or noxious material is never allowed.
  - Source: [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated), ss. 2.1-2.3](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall light or start or knowingly permit or cause or conduct open" … "burning is restricted to during daylight hours during the months of October and April;" … "the burning is restricted to a hand piled fire no larger than 4 cubic" … "obtaining a City of Campbell River Open Burning Permit from the" … "no person shall burn garbage and/or noxious material in an open" … "or compliance with all of the following:" … "full compliance with all applicable provincial and federal"
  - Source: [Fire Permits, Fire Permit FAQs](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/fire-prevention/fire-permits)
  - Official wording: "The Clean Air Bylaw amendment prohibits the burning of yard waste for all residents of area “A” of Campbell River. Most properties fall under area “A.”"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Recreational fires need no permit. For open burning in Area B a City Open Burning Permit from the Fire Chief or designate may be required: $69 from January 1, 2026 ($73 from 2028). Recreational back yard fire pit permit: no charge. Fire Department 250-286-6266.
  - Source: [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated), ss. 2.2(h), 2.3(a)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "obtaining a City of Campbell River Open Burning Permit from the" … "permit requirements shall not apply to recreational fires;"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4007, 2026 (consolidated to Bylaw 4023), Sch. B, Table 1](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/4007-fees-charges-bylaw-consolidated-4023-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "Section A - Open Burning Permits Open Buring Permit $69 $73 $78 Recreational Burning Permit - No charge No charge No charge" … "Open Buring Permit $69 $73 $78 Recreational Burning Permit - No charge No charge No charge back yard �ire pit per year"
  - Source: [Fire Permits, Open Burning Permits](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/fire-prevention/fire-permits)
  - Official wording: "If you are concerned about a fire that is not an emergency, call the fire department at 250-286-6266." … "Only with confirmed permission from the fire department (a permit may be required)."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The City follows the BC Wildfire Service for fire bans and restrictions. The Fire Department may restrict or ban recreational fires in hot, dry conditions, and the Fire Chief may suspend any right to burn for hazardous conditions. Check the City's Current Fire Restrictions page and the BC Wildfire Service.
  - Source: [Current Fire Restrictions](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/current-fire-restrictions)
  - Official wording: "The City of Campbell River follows the lead of the BC Wildfire Service for fire bans and restrictions in the Coastal Fire Centre."
  - Source: [Outdoor Fire Safety, Beach and Backyard Fires](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/community-fire-safety/outdoor-fire-safety)
  - Official wording: "the Campbell River Fire Department may restrict or ban the use of recreational fires."
  - Source: [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated), s. 2.4(c)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "suspend for such time as it is necessary, any right to burn granted"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard waste goes in weekly curbside organics collection (paper yard waste bags or lidded containers), or can be dropped off at the Campbell River Waste Management Centre, 6700 Argonaut Road ($65 per tonne for yard waste).
  - Source: [Organics Program](https://www.campbellriver.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling-organics/organics-program)
  - Official wording: "The City of Campbell River accepts food and yard waste year round as part of the weekly curbside collection program."
  - Source: [Fees & Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/fees)
  - Official wording: "| Yard Waste | per tonne | $65"
  - Source: [Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management, Campbell River Waste Management Centre](https://www.cswm.ca/Hours)
  - Official wording: "6700 Argonaut Road, Campbell River, BC V9H 1P1"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: burning when prohibited $200 (s. 2.1); burning in Area B contrary to conditions $200 (s. 2.2); burning rubber tires or restricted material $300 (s. 2.3(b)).
  - Source: [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025), Sch. 8](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3322-ticketing-bylaw-offences-consolidated-bylaw-4003-2025pdf)
  - Official wording: "Burning when prohibited" … "Burning in Area B contrary to conditions" … "Burning rubber tires/restricted material"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007
  - Source: [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated), title](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as “Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Clean Air Bylaw](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf) allows recreational fires in Campbell River: wood burned for recreation, cooking or heat in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 60 cm (24 inches) across that is designed to confine the fire, or in a fully enclosed burner. No permit is needed. Never leave it unattended, and light beach fires below the high tide line.

Other open burning is not allowed in Area A (most properties). Area B has a map in Schedule A of the bylaw.

## Steps

1. Check the City's Current Fire Restrictions page and the BC Wildfire Service first. The City follows the BC Wildfire Service for bans and restrictions, and the Fire Chief may suspend any right to burn in hazardous conditions.
2. For a recreational fire, use a pit, fireplace or burner as described above.
3. For open burning in Area B, you must meet one of two alternatives. Either burn in daylight in October or April, a hand-piled fire up to 4 cubic metres on your own property, 4.6 m (15 ft) from lot lines, buildings and trees, with the fire department notified and not objecting and someone over 16 supervising with a hose. Or comply fully with the provincial rules and hold a City Open Burning Permit from the Fire Chief or designate.
4. Questions: Fire Department, 250-286-6266.

## Good to know

- Burning garbage or noxious material is never allowed.
- The Fire Department may restrict or ban recreational fires in hot, dry conditions.
- Alternatives for yard waste: weekly curbside organics collection, or the Campbell River Waste Management Centre, 6700 Argonaut Road ($65 per tonne for yard waste).

## Official forms and pages

- [Clean Air Bylaw 3293, 2007 (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf)

## Related questions

- [Campbell River yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/yard-waste.md)
- [Campbell River fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/fireworks.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/backyard-fire.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/backyard-fire.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/backyard-fire.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/backyard-fire.md)
- [Sayward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/backyard-fire.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Clean Air Bylaw No. 3293, 2007 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3293-clean-air-bylaw-2007-consolidated-4007-2026pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Outdoor Fire Safety, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/community-fire-safety/outdoor-fire-safety) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Permits, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/fire-prevention/fire-permits) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Current Fire Restrictions, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/community-safety/fire-services/current-fire-restrictions) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4007, 2026 (consolidated to Bylaw 4023) (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/4007-fees-charges-bylaw-consolidated-4023-2026pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Ticketing for Bylaw Offences Bylaw No. 3322, 2007 (consolidated to Bylaw 4003, 2025) (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3322-ticketing-bylaw-offences-consolidated-bylaw-4003-2025pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Organics Program, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/city-services/garbage-recycling-organics/organics-program) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees & Charges, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/fees) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Facilities and Hours, Comox Strathcona Waste Management](https://www.cswm.ca/Hours) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Campbell River. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/backyard-fire/_