---
title: Dawson Creek backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Dawson Creek, and do I need a permit?"
place: Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/dawson-creek
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Dawson Creek
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Dawson Creek backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Dawson Creek, and do I need a permit?

**Short answer:** In Dawson Creek a fire pit or outdoor fireplace built to the Fire Protection Bylaw needs no permit. Other burning, such as yard waste, land-clearing and hazard-reduction fires, needs a permit from the Fire Hall, valid 24 hours. Call the Fire Hall at 250-782-9898 before lighting.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Dawson Creek, https://www.dawsoncreek.ca)  
**Cost:** Permit: no charge for burns May 1 to 15 and October 1 to 15; otherwise $14.67 (2026), plus applicable taxes (Fees and Charges Bylaw, Schedule J).  
**How long:** A burning permit is valid for 24 hours.  
**Where:**
- In person: Fire Hall, 10101 12A Street, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3V7 (Permits Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Phone: Fire Department, 250-782-9898
- Phone: BC Wildfire Service (piles over 2 x 3 m, or two piles), 1-888-797-1717

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace built to the bylaw, with no permit (the City permit page does not mention this). Keep 3 m from buildings, lines and trees; sides under 45 cm deep and 60 cm wide; spark screen; briquettes or dry firewood only; adult present; no wind over 10 km/h; notify the Fire Department. Must meet the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. No fires in City parks. (Sources differ: The City page says burning permits are required to burn; the bylaw (s. 8.1.b) exempts fires in a compliant fire pit or outdoor fireplace, so the bylaw is followed. All fires must also comply with the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. No fire may be started or kept in a City park or on City property (s. 8.5); in parks a permit from the Fire Hall and a City-provided fire pit are required (Parks Bylaw s. 15).)
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025), s. 8.1, 8.2, 8.6, 8.11, 8.12, 10.1](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)
  - Official wording: "unless a Permit has been obtained under section 9 or it is contained in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace that is built in accordance with this bylaw." … "Have a minimum clearance of 3 metres (10 feet) from any buildings, property lines, overhead wires, trees or any combustible materials." … "Installations must have enclosed sides at a depth of no greater than 45 centimetres (18 inches) and a width of no greater than 60 centimetres (24 inches)" … "A spark arrestor mesh screen of expanded metal to contain sparks must be provided over the fire." … "Only barbecue briquettes or clean burning dry firewood may be used as fuel in fire pits or outdoor fireplaces." … "if the wind speed is greater than 10 km per hour." … "Before starting an outdoor fire, every person must notify the Fire Department." … "Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are not permitted within 1 metre of gas lines." … "must be surrounded by 1 metre of non-combustible material" … "Every person starting a fire shall ensure a competent adult person is present at all times until the fire is totally extinguished." … "in contravention of the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (British Columbia); and"
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Burning permits are required to burn in our community."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Burning needs a permit valid 24 hours. Yard waste fires (leaves, prunings, small branches from your own property): 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. only, no bigger than 1 m x 1 m x 1 m. Land-clearing and hazard-reduction fires also need a permit; none is issued for industrial, commercial or construction waste. No household garbage or incinerators. Venting index must be good or fair the day before and good at the time.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025), s. 2.1, 8.3, 8.4, 8.9, 8.10, 9.3](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)
  - Official wording: "Yard waste fires are only allowed between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m." … "Yard waste fires are not to exceed 1 metre x 1 metre x 1 metre." … "No person shall burn any noxious materials, construction waste, domestic waste or garbage, household scrap paper, or any similar material." … "Yard waste fire Permits are only valid for a 24 hour period." … "garden refuse such as leaves, prunings and small branches indigenous to the property" … "including without limitation yard waste fires, fires for purposes of land clearing or fire hazard reduction:" … "Permits will not be issued for the burning of industrial, commercial or construction waste."
  - Source: [Burning Permits, Permit conditions](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "Venting index must be "good" or "fair" the day before burning, and "good" at the time of burning."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes for yard waste fires. Get it at the Dawson Creek Fire Hall, 8:30 to 4:30 weekdays. No charge for burns May 1 to 15 and October 1 to 15; otherwise $14.67 (2026) plus applicable taxes. Call the Fire Hall at 250-782-9898 before lighting. Piles larger than 2 x 3 m, or two piles, must be reported to BC Wildfire Service (1-888-797-1717).
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "To get a permit, visit the Dawson Creek Fire Hall from 8:30-4:30 weekdays." … "May 1 to May 15 - October 1 to October 15" … "Notify BC Wildfire service if piles are larger than 2 x 3m or if two piles are to be burnt." … "Call 1-888-797-1717 to get a registration number." … "Prior to igniting, call the Fire Hall at 250-782-9898."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule J, Schedule N (Fire), Permits](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171)
  - Official wording: "Yard Waste Fire Permit (May 1-15 or October 1-15) No charge No charge No charge No charge" … "Yard Waste Fire Permit - rest of the year $14.38 $14.67 $14.96 $15.26" … "ALL FEES ARE PLUS APPLICABLE TAXES" … "Yard Waste Fire Permit – rest of the year $14.38 $14.67 $14.96 $15.26"
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025), s. 9.4](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)
  - Official wording: "pay the fee set out in the City of Dawson Creek Fees and Charges Bylaw as amended or replaced from time to time;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** Permits are subject to weather and provincial fire bans. The Fire Chief can suspend or cancel any permit or right to burn at any time, and the fire must then be put out immediately.
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/)
  - Official wording: "All permits are subject to weather and provincial fire bans."
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025), s. 9.6](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)
  - Official wording: "may, at any time, suspend or cancel any permit or right to burn granted pursuant to this Bylaw."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** City yard waste collection site at 949 99 Avenue takes grass clippings and leaves in the warmer months. The Peace River Regional District's Bessborough landfill takes grass, leaves and prunings up to 5 cm for free May 15 to October 31. Yard waste may not go in the curbside garbage cart.
  - Source: [Yard Waste Collection Site](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/garbage-and-recycling/yard-waste-collection-site/)
  - Official wording: "The collection site is at 949 99 Avenue." … "The collection site is only for grass clippings and leave."
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Peace River Regional District, Composting](https://www.prrd.bc.ca/home-property/garbage-and-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "The Bessborough Landfill accepts specific yard and garden waste for free annually from May 15 to October 31." … "Pruning's (up to 5 cm in diameter)"
  - Source: [Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulation Bylaw No. 4380, s. 3.21](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112542)
  - Official wording: "No person shall deposit recyclable materials or yard waste in a Garbage Collection Cart."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Bylaw notice $150 ($125 if paid within 14 days; $200 late) for: starting an outdoor fire contrary to the bylaw, burning prohibited materials, a yard waste fire outside the allowed hours or over 1 m x 1 m x 1 m, or a fire pit not meeting requirements. Starting a fire on City property: bylaw notice $300 ($200 early, $500 late); municipal ticket $550.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B, Schedule B, Fire Protection Bylaw](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178)
  - Official wording: "4153 8.1 Start an outdoor fire contrary to bylaw 150 125 200 No" … "4153 8.3 Burn prohibited materials 150 125 200 No" … "4153 8.9 Yard waste fire outside allowed hours 150 125 200 No" … "4153 8.10 Yard waste fire larger than allowed 150 125 200 No" … "4153 10.1 Fail to meet fire pit requirements 150 125 200 Yes" … "4153 8.5 Start a fire on City property 300 200 500 No"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278, Schedule G](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527)
  - Official wording: "4153 8.5 Start a fire on City property 550"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025), title](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)
  - Official wording: "FIRE PROTECTION BYLAW NO. 4153, 2012"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

[Fire Protection Bylaw 4153](<https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524>) bans outdoor fires in Dawson Creek unless you have a permit or the fire is in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace that meets the bylaw. A compliant fire pit needs no permit. The City's burning permits page says permits are required to burn and does not mention this exemption, so confirm with the Fire Hall. All fires must also follow the provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. Permits cover yard waste, land-clearing and hazard-reduction fires, but are not issued for industrial, commercial or construction waste.

## Steps

1. Check the venting index: it must be good or fair the day before and good at the time of burning.
2. If a pile is larger than 2 x 3 m, or you plan two piles, report it to the BC Wildfire Service at 1-888-797-1717.
3. Get a permit at the Fire Hall, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
4. Call the Fire Hall at 250-782-9898 before lighting.

## Good to know

- Yard waste fires (leaves, prunings, small branches from your own property): 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. only, no bigger than 1 m x 1 m x 1 m.
- Fire pit: keep it 3 m from buildings, property lines and trees; sides under 45 cm deep and 60 cm wide; use a spark screen; burn only briquettes or dry firewood; an adult must be present; no burning in wind over 10 km/h; notify the Fire Department.
- No household garbage or incinerators. No fires in City parks or on City property.
- Permits are subject to weather and provincial fire bans. The Fire Chief can suspend or cancel any permit at any time, and the fire must then be put out immediately.
- Instead of burning, the City's yard waste site at 949 99 Avenue takes grass clippings and leaves in the warmer months. The Peace River Regional District's Bessborough landfill takes prunings up to 5 cm for free from May 15 to October 31.
- Fines: bylaw notice $150 ($125 within 14 days; $200 late) for starting an outdoor fire against the bylaw, burning prohibited materials, burning outside the allowed hours or size, or a fire pit that does not meet the rules. A fire on City property is a bylaw notice of $300 ($200 within 14 days; $500 late) or a municipal ticket of $550.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Permits](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/)
- [Fire Protection Bylaw 4153 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524)

## Related questions

- [Dawson Creek fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/fireworks.md)
- [Dawson Creek yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/yard-waste.md)
- [Dawson Creek bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/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)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-fire.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-fire.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-fire.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/backyard-fire.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Burning Permits, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/emergency-and-protective-services/fire-rescue/burning-permits/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 4153, 2012 (consolidated to 4599, 2025) (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112524) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3932, Schedule J (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/136171) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4277, Schedule B (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112178) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System Bylaw No. 4278 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112527) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulation Bylaw No. 4380 (PDF)](https://dawsoncreek.civicweb.net/document/112542) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Yard Waste Collection Site, City of Dawson Creek](https://www.dawsoncreek.ca/home-property-utilities/garbage-and-recycling/yard-waste-collection-site/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage and Recycling, Peace River Regional District](https://www.prrd.bc.ca/home-property/garbage-and-recycling/) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of Dawson Creek. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-fire/_