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

# Chetwynd backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Chetwynd, a small recreational fire is allowed in a fire pit, fireplace or barbecue no larger than 60 cm across, using seasoned firewood only, at least 5 m from property lines and buildings. Yard waste and garbage may not be burned in it. Check for provincial fire bans first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Chetwynd, https://www.gochetwynd.com)  
**Cost:** No permit fee is stated. Ticket for open burning that breaks the rules $300; recreational fire offences $100.  
**How long:** Not stated.  
**Where:**
- Phone: District of Chetwynd Municipal Office, 250-401-4100
- In person: District of Chetwynd Municipal Office, 5400 Hospital Road, Chetwynd, BC V0C 1J0

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Recreational fires are allowed: seasoned firewood only, in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 60 cm across that is built to confine the fire. Must be supervised, with extinguishing equipment on site, at least 5 m from any property line, fence, standing timber, brush or building. Not allowed during an air quality advisory.
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 2 "Recreational Fire"; s. 4.2 to 4.6](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "not larger than 60 centimeters in diameter" … "No person shall ignite or maintain any recreational fire if an air quality advisory has been" … "continuously control and supervise the recreational fire" … "use only seasoned firewood" … "come within five (5) meters of any"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** Open burning (yard and garden waste, land clearing debris) must meet the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, with a competent person over 18 present and firefighting equipment. Yard and garden waste may not be burned in a recreational fire. A 2016 District notice says burning permits are required for any brush or grass burning and are not issued on weekends.
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.1, 5.1, 2 "Open Burning"](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "must meet the" … "current Environmental Management Act Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations of the" … "the Fire Chief may grant a temporary burning permit" … "ensure the competent person attending the open air burning is over the age of 18"
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 2](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "“Open Burning” means the combustion in the open air of yard and garden waste, land"
  - Source: [Burning Permits, 2016 news item](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2016/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "burning permits are required for any brush or grass burning. Permits will not be issued on weekends."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** The Fire Chief may grant a temporary burning permit in extraordinary circumstances for public safety (Bylaw 963, s. 4.1). A 2016 District notice says permits are required for any brush or grass burning, are not issued on weekends, and are not needed for a contained cooking or camp fire. No fee is stated.
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "In extraordinary circumstances and for purposes of public safety, the Fire Chief may grant a temporary burning permit."
  - Source: [Burning Permits, 2016 news item](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2016/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "burning permits are required for any brush or grass burning. Permits will not be issued on weekends." … "You do not need to have a permit for a contained cooking/camp fire within the municipality."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** Provincial BC Wildfire Service prohibitions (campfires, fireworks and similar) apply on public and private land and are announced in District news items; check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage. The Fire Chief can also restrict or prohibit campfires in designated campgrounds, and recreational fires are not allowed during an air quality advisory.
  - Source: [Campfire Ban in Effect June 5, 2025 news item](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2025/campfire-ban-in-effect-june-5/)
  - Official wording: "Prohibitions apply to all public and private lands unless otherwise specified" … "Please check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for the most current prohibitions for your area."
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.2, 4.7](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "subject to restrictions and/or prohibition at the" … "discretion of the Fire Chief due to hazardous fire conditions or poor smoke dispersion"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** Grass clippings, leaves and tree prunings may not be set out with garbage. Yard and garden waste is accepted at the Peace River Regional District landfill in Chetwynd (250-788-1066) for a fee ($55 a tonne residential). The recycling depot does not accept yard waste (2019 notice).
  - Source: [https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BL1154-1179-Solid-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Consolidated-Version.pdf, s. 5.3.5](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BL1154-1179-Solid-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Consolidated-Version.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No tires, grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings, scrap lumber, logs"
  - Source: [Solid Waste Management, Regional District Landfill](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/departments/public-works/solid-waste-management/)
  - Official wording: "## Regional District Landfill (Chetwynd) Contact Phone: 250-788-1066 For location and hours of operation click on the following link: Landfill & Transfer Sites"
  - Source: [Restricted and Prohibited Waste, 2019 notice](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2019/restricted-and-prohibited-waste/)
  - Official wording: "Yard waste including compost"
  - Source: [Tipping Fees and Coupons, Peace River Regional District, Controlled Waste Fees / Residential and commercial tipping fees for yard and garden waste](https://www.prrd.bc.ca/home-property/garbage-and-recycling/tipping-fees-and-coupons/)
  - Official wording: "Applied at the following facilities: Bessborough, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, North Peace, Prespatou" … "Controlled waste needs special handling because of its potential to cause harm if not managed properly." … "| Dewatered biosolids | $5.00 | $5.25 | Invasive plants | No charge | No charge | Yard and garden waste | $55.00 | $60.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket under Wood Burning Appliance / Clean Air Bylaw Schedule: $300 for conducting open burning that does not meet the rules (s. 4.1); $100 for recreational fire offences (air quality advisory, causing injury or damage, prohibited fuel, no supervision, no extinguishing equipment, unsafe location).
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, Municipal Ticket Information fine schedule](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Conducting open burning. 4.1 $ 300.00" … "Igniting or maintaining a recreational fire during an air quality" … "Failure to maintain a recreational fire in a safe location. 4.6 (e) $ 100.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** District of Chetwynd Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012
  - Source: [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 1.1](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Wood Burning" … "Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Chetwynd's [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963](<https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf>) allows recreational fires in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit no larger than 60 cm across that is built to confine the fire. Burn seasoned firewood only. The fire must be supervised, with extinguishing equipment on site, and at least 5 m from any property line, fence, standing timber, brush or building. Recreational fires are not allowed during an air quality advisory. No garbage or yard and garden waste may be burned in one.

## Steps

1. Check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for provincial prohibitions.
2. Check for a local air quality advisory.
3. For brush or grass burning, ask the District about a permit before you start.

## Good to know

- Open burning of yard and garden waste or land clearing debris must meet the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, with a competent person over 18 present and firefighting equipment.
- A 2016 District notice says burning permits are required for any brush or grass burning and are not issued on weekends. It says they are not needed for a contained cooking or camp fire. No fee is stated. The Fire Chief may grant a temporary burning permit in extraordinary circumstances for public safety.
- Provincial BC Wildfire Service prohibitions apply on public and private land and are announced in District news items. The Fire Chief can also restrict or prohibit campfires in designated campgrounds.
- Alternatives: grass clippings, leaves and tree prunings may not be set out with garbage. The Peace River Regional District landfill in Chetwynd (250-788-1066) takes yard and garden waste for a fee. A 2019 notice says the recycling depot does not accept yard waste.
- Tickets: $300 for open burning that does not meet the rules; $100 for recreational fire offences such as an air quality advisory, a prohibited fuel, no supervision, no extinguishing equipment or an unsafe location. Provincial wildfire prohibition tickets are $1,150, a provincial penalty.

## Official forms and pages

- [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012 (PDF)](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf)
- [Burning Permits (District notice, 2016)](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2016/burning-permits/)

## Related questions

- [Chetwynd fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/fireworks.md)
- [Chetwynd yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/yard-waste.md)
- [Chetwynd noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/noise-rules.md)
- [Chetwynd bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/backyard-fire.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-fire.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-fire.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-fire.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012 (PDF), District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BL963-Wood-Burning-Appliance-Clean-Air1.pdf) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Burning Permits, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2016/burning-permits/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Campfire Ban in Effect June 5, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2025/campfire-ban-in-effect-june-5/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Restricted and Prohibited Waste, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/2019/restricted-and-prohibited-waste/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Solid Waste Management, District of Chetwynd](https://www.gochetwynd.com/municipal-office/departments/public-works/solid-waste-management/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Tipping Fees and Coupons, Peace River Regional District](https://www.prrd.bc.ca/home-property/garbage-and-recycling/tipping-fees-and-coupons/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BL1154-1179-Solid-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Consolidated-Version.pdf](https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BL1154-1179-Solid-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Consolidated-Version.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 District of Chetwynd. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-fire/_