Chetwynd backyard fire and burning rules
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.
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.Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 2 "Recreational Fire"; s. 4.2 to 4.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingnot 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 |
|---|---|
| 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.Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.1, 5.1, 2 "Open Burning"; Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 2; Burning Permits, 2016 news item · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmust 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 “Open Burning” means the combustion in the open air of yard and garden waste, land burning permits are required for any brush or grass burning. Permits will not be issued on weekends. |
| 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.Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.1; Burning Permits, 2016 news item · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingIn extraordinary circumstances and for purposes of public safety, the Fire Chief may grant a temporary burning permit. 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. |
| 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.Campfire Ban in Effect June 5, 2025 news item; Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 4.2, 4.7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingProhibitions 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. subject to restrictions and/or prohibition at the discretion of the Fire Chief due to hazardous fire conditions or poor smoke dispersion |
| 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).https://www.gochetwynd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/BL1154-1179-Solid-Waste-Collection-and-Disposal-Consolidated-Version.pdf, s. 5.3.5; Solid Waste Management, Regional District Landfill; Restricted and Prohibited Waste, 2019 notice; Tipping Fees and Coupons, Peace River Regional District, Controlled Waste Fees / Residential and commercial tipping fees for yard and garden waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo tires, grass clippings, leaves, tree prunings, scrap lumber, logs ## Regional District Landfill (Chetwynd) Contact Phone: 250-788-1066 For location and hours of operation click on the following link: Landfill & Transfer Sites Yard waste including compost 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 |
| 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).Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, Municipal Ticket Information fine schedule · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingConducting 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 |
| Bylaw | District of Chetwynd Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012, s. 1.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingWood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012 |
How it works
The District of Chetwynd's Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963 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
- Check the BC Wildfire Service Bans and Restrictions webpage for provincial prohibitions.
- Check for a local air quality advisory.
- 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
The same question in other places
Hudson's Hope · Tumbler Ridge · Fort St. John · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Mackenzie
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Wood Burning Appliance/Clean Air Bylaw No. 963, 2012 (PDF), District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Burning Permits, District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Campfire Ban in Effect June 5, District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Restricted and Prohibited Waste, District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Solid Waste Management, District of Chetwynd (read 2026-11-08)
- Tipping Fees and Coupons, Peace River Regional District (read 2026-11-08)
- 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. How answers are checked.