Fernie backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?
Short answer
In the City of Fernie a backyard campfire is allowed only in a fire pit with a valid Fire Pit Permit ($30 for a new permit). Yard waste may not be burned in a fire pit. Any other open fire needs a Burn Permit, which the Fire Director issues at their discretion.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Yes, but only in a fire pit with a valid Fire Pit Permit. Pit sides no deeper than 45 cm and no wider than 60 cm, 3 m from buildings, property lines, wires, trees and anything combustible, spark screen, surrounded by 1 m of non-combustible ground. Fuel only briquettes or dry firewood. Fires only from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., supervised by an adult.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), s. 6.1 to 6.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingunless such campfire is contained within a fire pit for A minimum clearance of 3 metres (10 feet) shall be A spark arrestor mesh screen of expanded metal Fuel is to be composed only of barbecue briquettes or dry firewood Fires cannot be started before 7:00 a.m. and must be extinguished no Fires are to be supervised at all times by a competent adult person |
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| Burning yard waste | No burning of vegetation, yard waste or household paper in a fire pit. Any other open fire, including a brush pile, needs a Burn Permit, which the Fire Director may issue at discretion (for example land clearing or fire hazard reduction). Burn Permits are never issued for industrial, commercial or construction waste.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), s. 5.1, 5.2, 6.3(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordinglight, ignite or start any open fire within the City of Fernie without a valid Burn Permit Burn Permits may be issued at the discretion of the Director in respect of: Burn Permits shall not be issued for the burning of industrial, commercial No burning of vegetation, household scrap paper, building, and other |
| Permit | Yes. Fire Pit Permit from the Director of Fire and Emergency Services: $30 new, $30 renewal with changes, $0 renewal without changes. Apply with a sketch showing distances to property lines and buildings, dropped off at City Hall. Burn Permits for other open fires: fee not found.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), Schedule A; Fernie Fire Department, Fire Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFire Pit Permits $30 (New Permit) $30 (Permit Renewal with $0 (Permit Renewal without To obtain a permit, please fill out an application and attach a sketch with distances to property lines and buildings and drop off the information at City Hall. Permits must be renewed each year. |
| Fire bans | The Director of Fire and Emergency Services can issue an open fire ban. The City directs residents to BC Wildfire Service for current bans and advisories. Consumer fireworks permits are not issued during a ban.Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), s. 7.1, 7.3(a); Fernie Fire Department, Fire Bans and Advisories · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingwhen an open fire ban has been issued Fireworks Permits shall not be issued for Consumer Fireworks during an open In the event of a fire ban or advisory, please check the link to BC Wildfire Service for updated information. |
| Instead of burning | Yard trimmings (grass, leaves, smaller twigs and sticks) go in the weekly curbside organics cart. Yard and garden waste can also go to the Fernie Transfer Station, 6000 Highway 3.Garbage and Recycling Collection, Curbside Organic Collection; Fernie Transfer Station, Regional District of East Kootenay · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingIt also includes yard trimmings such as grass, leaves and smaller twigs and sticks. The Fernie Transfer Station is located at 6000 Highway 3 Yard and Garden Waste |
| Fine | Municipal ticket: burning without a fire permit $200; burning outside permitted hours $200 ($300 for second and later); leaving a fire unattended $100; burning prohibited material $100 to $200; fire pit supervision or hours breach $200.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041, Appendix 10 of Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingBurning without a fire permit 5.1 a) $200.00 Burning after permitted hours 5.1 b) $200.00 Leaving fire unattended 5.1 c) $100.00 Failure to have a competent adult supervising the fire 6.4 a) $200.00 Burning prohibited materials 6.3 b) $200.00 |
| Bylaw | Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029, consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06Official wordingFire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw Bylaw No. 2029 |
How it works
The City of Fernie's Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029 allows a backyard campfire only in a fire pit with a valid Fire Pit Permit from the Director of Fire and Emergency Services. To apply, fill in the application, attach a sketch showing distances to property lines and buildings, and drop it at City Hall.
Good to know
- Fire pit rules: sides no deeper than 45 cm and no wider than 60 cm; 3 m from buildings, property lines, wires, trees and anything combustible; not within 1 m of gas lines; a spark screen; 1 m of non-combustible ground around it.
- Fuel: briquettes or dry firewood only. Fires are allowed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., supervised by an adult. Backyard incinerators are prohibited.
- Yard waste: no burning of vegetation, yard waste or household paper in a fire pit. Any other open fire, such as a brush pile, needs a Burn Permit, issued at the Fire Director's discretion (for example for land clearing or fire hazard reduction). Burn Permits are never issued for industrial, commercial or construction waste.
- Instead of burning: grass, leaves and smaller twigs and sticks go in the weekly curbside organics cart, or to the Fernie Transfer Station, 6000 Highway 3.
- Fire bans: the Fire Director can issue an open fire ban. The bylaw does not say whether fire pit campfires are barred during one, so check with the Fire Hall. The City points to BC Wildfire Service for current bans and advisories.
- Tickets: burning without a permit $200; burning outside permitted hours $200 ($300 for second and later); leaving a fire unattended $100; burning prohibited material $100 to $200; breaching fire pit supervision or hours $200; fire pit fuel breach $100.
What you'll need
- Completed Fire Pit Permit application, with a sketch showing distances to property lines and buildings
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Sparwood · Cranbrook · Elkford · Kimberley · Canal Flats · Creston
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Protection and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2029 (PDF), consolidated to Amendment 5 (June 2024), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Fernie Fire Department, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2041 (PDF), City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Garbage and Recycling Collection, City of Fernie (read 2026-11-05)
- Fernie Transfer Station, Regional District of East Kootenay (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. How answers are checked.