{"title":"Clearwater backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Clearwater?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/clearwater","name":"Clearwater","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com"},"short_answer":"In Clearwater, campfires are allowed in a pit that meets size and distance rules, subject to fire bans. Open burning of yard debris needs a free permit from the Fire Chief (250-674-1278) from October 1 to May 15, according to the District's page. Check current bans first.","aliases":["backyard fire clearwater","campfire clearwater","burning permit clearwater","open burning clearwater"],"cost":"Burning permits are free. Tickets $200 to $1,000.","how_long":"Not stated.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Chief (permits and bans)","value":"250-674-1278","note":"Email firechief@docbc.ca. Report open burning violations inside the District by dialling 911."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/"},{"title":"Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021 (PDF), District of Clearwater","url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/42056/"},{"title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater","url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/"}],"related":[{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Clearwater bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/bylaw-fines/"},{"slug":"noise-rules","title":"Clearwater noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/noise-rules/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/barriere","name":"Barriere","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/barriere/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sun-peaks","name":"Sun Peaks","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sun-peaks/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/100-mile-house","name":"100 Mile House","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/kamloops","name":"Kamloops","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kamloops/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cache-creek","name":"Cache Creek","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cache-creek/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"A campfire is an open fire that burns wood in one pile no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide. The fire pit must be at least 5 m from property lines, buildings, trees, shrubs and other combustibles; fuel must be untreated dry firewood (no leaves, grass or garden waste); it must be attended at all times by a person with extinguishing equipment.","short":"Yes, up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m, 5 m from property lines","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/42056/","title":"Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021 (PDF), District of Clearwater","section":"s. 2.1","quotes":["Campfire means an open fire that burns wood in one pile not exceeding 0.5"]},{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","section":"Fire Safety","quotes":["at least five (5) metres from adjacent property lines, buildings, trees, shrubs, debris or other combustible material;","Only untreated lumber, dry and seasoned firewood may be used for fuel.","continuously supervising the fire"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Category 2 open fire (residential and garden refuse): pile not over 2 m high and 3 m wide, supervised until completely extinguished. Backyard burning of garbage and other prohibited materials is not allowed. Category 3 (industrial, commercial, lot clearing) needs a provincial burn registration number.","short":"Yes, Category 2 piles up to 2 m high and 3 m wide","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","section":"Burning Permits / Residential and Open Burning Regulations","quotes":["pile does not exceed 2m in height and 3m in width","any fire must be supervised until completely extinguished","backyard burning of garbage and other “prohibited materials” is not allowed under provincial law","Burn registration number required, obtained from the Province of BC by calling 1 888 797-1717."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"The page says a permit is required for all Category 2 and 3 open fires from October 1 to May 15. Permits are free: call 250-674-1278 (the Fire Chief inspects the site) or email the completed form to firechief@docbc.ca. The ticket schedule lists failing to get a burning permit before lighting an open fire of any category.","short":"Yes for Category 2 and 3 fires; free","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","section":"Burning Permits","quotes":["Requirement for all Category 2 and Category 3 Open Fires between October 1st until of May 15th of any year.","Burning Permits are free of charge. To obtain one, call 250.674.1278"]},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater","section":"Schedule 5","quotes":["Fail to obtain Burning Permit prior to lighting an","Open Fire – any Category"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"},"sources_differ":"The page limits the permit requirement to October 1 to May 15, while the ticket schedule (Bylaw 221 Schedule 5, citing Bylaw 233 s. 9.1) lists no seasonal limit. Bylaw 233 itself could not be read, so the two could not be reconciled."},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"Before lighting any fire, check the current fire bans for the Kamloops Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service), the ventilation index and the danger rating. Municipalities may follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or impose their own. Questions on a District prohibition: Fire Department, 250-674-1278, firechief@docbc.ca. Report open burning violations inside the District by dialling 911.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","section":"Burning Permits / notice","quotes":["Before lighting a fire, please check the red links below for information","Current fire bans in the Kamloops Fire Centre","Municipalities often follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or may impose different prohibitions","dial 911"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Residential yard waste is free to drop off at the TNRD Clearwater Eco-Depot, 290 Road 2A FSR, Tuesday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. year round.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/depot-services-waste-drop-off/clearwater-eco-depot/","title":"Clearwater Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District","section":"Clearwater Eco-Depot","quotes":["Yard Waste | Residential: Free to Recycle","Address: 290 Road 2A FSR","Tuesday"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: outdoor burning during a restriction or ban, or when prohibited, $1,000 ($750 if paid in 30 days); campfire contrary to Schedule C $500 ($400); Category 2 or 3 burning contrary to Schedule D $250 ($200) or $1,000 ($750); no burning permit $250 ($200).","short":"Ticket $250 ($200 if paid in 30 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater","section":"Schedule 5 (Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021)","quotes":["Outdoor burning during restrictions or ban","Outdoor burning when prohibited","Campfire contrary to Schedule c","Burning contrary to Schedule D Category 2","Fail to obtain Burning Permit prior to lighting an"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"District of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater","section":"Amendment 297, 2024","quotes":["District of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District's [Open Burning page](<https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/>) and [Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233](<https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/42056/>) set the rules.\n\n- **Campfire:** an open fire burning wood in one pile no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide. The fire pit must be at least 5 m from property lines, buildings, trees, shrubs and other combustibles. Use untreated dry firewood only (no leaves, grass or garden waste). Someone must attend it at all times with extinguishing equipment.\n- **Category 2 open fire** (residential and garden refuse): pile not over 2 m high and 3 m wide, supervised until completely extinguished. Backyard burning of garbage and other prohibited materials is not allowed.\n- **Category 3** (industrial, commercial, lot clearing): needs a provincial burn registration number.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the current fire bans for the Kamloops Fire Centre (BC Wildfire Service), the ventilation index and the danger rating. Municipalities may follow BC Wildfire Service prohibitions or impose their own.\n2. For Category 2 or 3, get a free burning permit: call the Fire Chief at 250-674-1278 (the Fire Chief inspects the site) or email the completed form to firechief@docbc.ca.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- The page says a permit is required for all Category 2 and 3 fires from October 1 to May 15. The ticket schedule lists no season for the permit, so confirm with the Fire Chief.\n- Bylaw 233 itself could not be read; the pit rules above come from the District's page.\n- Yard waste can go to the free drop-off at the TNRD Clearwater Eco-Depot instead (see the yard waste answer).\n- Municipal tickets ([MTI Bylaw No. 221](<https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/>)): burning during a restriction or ban, or when prohibited, $1,000 ($750 if paid in 30 days); campfire contrary to Schedule C $500 ($400); Category 2 or 3 contrary to Schedule D $250 ($200) or $1,000 ($750); no burning permit $250 ($200).\n- Breaking a provincial open burning prohibition can bring a $1,150 ticket from BC Wildfire Service.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.districtofclearwater.com/residents/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/42056/","title":"Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021 (PDF), District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofclearwater.civicweb.net/document/28332/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.tnrd.ca/services/garbage-recycling/depot-services-waste-drop-off/clearwater-eco-depot/","title":"Clearwater Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/clearwater/backyard-fire.json"}}