Canal Flats backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Canal Flats?
Short answer
In Canal Flats, small campfires and burn piles are allowed on private property if someone watches them until out, and they follow the distance and size limits in the Open Burning Bylaw. The Fire Chief can ban all burning in hazardous conditions.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Small-scale open burning on private property is allowed if: someone watches it until fully out, with water and equipment on hand; it is at least 5 m from any building and 3 m from a property line, timber or other combustibles (unless in a domestic incinerator); the pile is no more than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high (grass burning up to 25 m², or larger if the Fire Chief approves in writing); it is safe from wind and bans; and smoke does not trouble neighbours.Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019, s. 3(9) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSmall scale open burning on private property may occur provided that shall not be carried out within 5 meters from any building, and 3 meters from any property line no pile of burning material shall exceed 0.5 meters in diameter and 0.5 smoke from the open burning does not interfere with any neighbour's right meters in height, with the exception of grass burning in which the maximum area burning shall be 25 square meters, unless approved by the Fire Chief, in writing. |
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| Burning yard waste | Large-scale burning (over 0.5 m across or high) of cut and piled brush, slash, grass and other land-clearing organic material, or clean construction or demolition wood, is allowed only Monday to Friday, at least 50 m from any building, structure or standing timber, with a fire watch kept; piles over 2 m across or high need the Fire Chief's written approval. Burning noxious materials or domestic waste is prohibited. No burning when unsafe or under a ban.Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019, s. 3(5)-(7) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingsuch burning shall only be carried out from Monday to Friday inclusive in shall not be carried out within 50 meters from any building, no pile of burning material shall exceed 2 meters in diameter and 2 meters in No burning of noxious materials is permitted. No person shall burn domestic waste materials. |
| Permit | Not confirmed. Not found in the official sources that were read. |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief or designate may by written order ban, suspend or limit any burning and fireworks when hazardous fire conditions exist; the order takes effect when issued, lasts until rescinded in writing, and is posted by Village staff. BC Wildfire Service bans for the Southeast Fire Centre also apply; the Village points to the Province's fire bans and restrictions page.Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019, s. 3(14); Campfire regulations and fireworks ban, 2020 news post · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmay, by written order, ban, suspend, or limit any authority These orders shall be posted by Village staff. A person in contravention of this ban may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs, as well as the value of the resources damaged or destroyed by the fire. For more information, please see https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/fire-bans-and-restrictions ###### About admin |
| Instead of burning | Household garbage and yard waste can be taken to the Regional District of East Kootenay transfer station, 10 km south of Canal Flats, at no charge.Utilities, Utilities page, Waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingno charge for household garbage/yard waste Regional District of East Kootenay transfer station (10km south of Canal Flats) |
| Fine | Bylaw notice: $100 ($75 within 14 days; $125 after 28 days). Municipal ticket: $100. (Examples: burning at an unauthorized site, unsupervised or hazardous small-scale fire, burning prohibited materials.) The bylaw sets a minimum $100 fine.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 231, 2020, Schedule K; Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 242, 2021, Bylaw 242, Schedule A (Open Burning Bylaw No. 219); Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019, s. 8(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingUnsupervised or hazardous small scale fire 3(9)(a) – 3(9)(e) $100.00 Burn in unauthorized burning site 3(3) $100.00 small scale fire $100 $75 $125 No The minimum fine, under the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, for a single infraction |
| Bylaw | Village of Canal Flats Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019, s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingVillage of Canal Flats Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019 |
How it works
The Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019 allows small-scale open burning on private property if all of these hold:
- Someone watches it until fully out, with water and equipment on hand.
- It is at least 5 m from any building and 3 m from a property line, timber or other combustibles (unless in a domestic incinerator).
- The pile is no more than 0.5 m across and 0.5 m high. Grass burning is allowed up to 25 m², or larger if the Fire Chief approves in writing.
- It is safe from wind and bans, and smoke does not trouble neighbours.
Barbecue cooking fires (charcoal, natural gas, propane) are allowed.
Steps
- Check for a ban first (see below).
- Keep the fire and pile within the limits above.
- For larger land-clearing piles, follow the large-scale rules below.
Good to know
- Large-scale burning (over 0.5 m across or high) of cut and piled brush, slash, grass and similar material, or clean construction or demolition wood, is allowed only Monday to Friday, at least 50 m from any building, structure or standing timber, with a fire watch. Piles over 2 m across or high need the Fire Chief's written approval.
- Burning noxious materials or domestic waste is prohibited.
- The Fire Chief or designate may ban, suspend or limit burning by written order when hazardous fire conditions exist. BC Wildfire Service bans for the Southeast Fire Centre also apply; check the Province's fire bans and restrictions page.
- Instead of burning, take household garbage and yard waste to the Regional District of East Kootenay transfer station, 10 km south of Canal Flats, at no charge.
- Fine: bylaw notice $100 ($75 within 14 days, $125 after 28 days) or municipal ticket $100. The bylaw sets a minimum $100 fine.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Invermere · Radium Hot Springs · Kimberley · Elkford · Cranbrook · Kaslo
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Open Burning Bylaw No. 219, 2019 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Campfire regulations and fireworks ban, Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Utilities, Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement and Dispute Adjudication System Bylaw No. 242, 2021 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 231, 2020 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
- Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 300, 2026 (PDF), Village of Canal Flats (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.