Clearwater backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Clearwater?
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.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | 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.Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021, s. 2.1; Open Burning, Fire Safety · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingCampfire means an open fire that burns wood in one pile not exceeding 0.5 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 |
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| Burning yard waste | 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.Open Burning, Burning Permits / Residential and Open Burning Regulations · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingpile 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. |
| Permit | 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.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.Open Burning, Burning Permits; Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingRequirement 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 Fail to obtain Burning Permit prior to lighting an Open Fire – any Category |
| Fire bans | 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.Open Burning, Burning Permits / notice · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBefore 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 |
| Instead of burning | 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.Clearwater Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingYard Waste | Residential: Free to Recycle Address: 290 Road 2A FSR Tuesday |
| Fine | 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).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019, Schedule 5 (Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingOutdoor 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 |
| Bylaw | District of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019, Amendment 297, 2024 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingDistrict of Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw |
How it works
The District's Open Burning page and Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233 set the rules.
- 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.
- 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.
Steps
- 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.
- 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.
Good to know
- 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.
- Bylaw 233 itself could not be read; the pit rules above come from the District's page.
- Yard waste can go to the free drop-off at the TNRD Clearwater Eco-Depot instead (see the yard waste answer).
- Municipal tickets (MTI Bylaw No. 221): 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).
- Breaking a provincial open burning prohibition can bring a $1,150 ticket from BC Wildfire Service.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Barriere · Sun Peaks · 100 Mile House · Kamloops · Enderby · Cache Creek
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Open Burning, District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Volunteer Fire Department Regulations Bylaw No. 233, 2021 (PDF), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 221, 2019 (PDF), District of Clearwater (read 2026-11-08)
- Clearwater Eco-Depot, Thompson-Nicola Regional District (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.