Fort St James backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Fort St James?
Short answer
In Fort St James, a backyard campfire is allowed with a free burn permit from the District Office or fire hall. It must stay under 0.5 m high and wide, be out by 10:00 p.m., and stay 5 metres from buildings. Burning yard waste or garbage is not allowed.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Backyard campfires are allowed with a free burn permit. A campfire is a fire in one pile no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide for recreation. Fires must be attended by an adult 19 or older, fully out before leaving it and no later than 10:00 p.m., and not within 5 metres of a building or structure.Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, s. 2.6; Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, ss. 5.1.17-5.1.19; Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, Sched. A; Fire Department, Fire page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wording"Campfire" means an open fire that (a) burns material in one pile no larger than 0.5 m in height and 0.5 m in width must be attended at all times while said fire is burning by a responsible adult age 19 or older. Open Air Fires including Campfires must be fully extinguished and out no later than 10:00 pm each day. No fires to be set out, kindled or ignited within 5 metres of any Building or structure Want a backyard campfire? No problem! |
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| Burning yard waste | Not allowed in town: stacked-pile burning (Category 2) and land-clearing debris (Category 3) are banned except in the I-2 Heavy Industrial zone; burning rooted vegetation, grass or stubble, and burning garbage, prohibited materials or construction debris, is banned. The District says burning garbage, yard waste or grass is not permitted.Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, ss. 5.1.11-5.1.14; Licences and Permits, Burn Permits · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA person shall not light or burn material in a stacked pile, (Category 2 as unless the pile is within an “I-2” Heavy Industrial A person shall not light or burn vegetation, grass, or stubble while it is rooted in Burning garbage, yard waste or grass is not permitted. |
| Permit | Yes. All open burning needs a burning permit, which is free from the municipal office or the fire hall. The Fire Chief may attach conditions or refuse, suspend or revoke a permit.Licences and Permits, Burn Permits; Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, s. 5.1.10 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAll open burning in Fort St. James requires a burning permit, pursuant to the Fire Regulation Bylaw. Burning permits issued are free of charge and can be obtained at the municipal office or at the fire hall. A person shall not permit the burning of any material without a current and valid fire permit. |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief may order a total ban on open-air fires in hazardous conditions. No open-air fire is permitted while the Fort St. James Forest District is under a Prince George Fire Centre prohibition, and burn permits are suspended for it. Only CSA or ULC approved propane, natural gas or charcoal cooking devices, and approved portable propane or natural gas campfire appliances with a flame no taller than 15 cm, are allowed during campfire prohibitions.Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, ss. 5.1.9, 5.1.20-5.1.21; Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, s. 5.2.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghe may order a total ban on open-air fires for such length of time as they may deem no open-air fire will be permitted when the Fort St. James Forest District is placed under a fire prohibition as published by the Prince George Fire Centre All open-air fire permits will be considered suspended at the beginning of the The following open-air fires are permitted during Campfire Prohibitions, and |
| Instead of burning | Not confirmed. No page says where yard waste goes instead. |
| Fine | Open-air fire without a valid permit: $500. Category 2 or Category 3 fire, or burning rooted vegetation, garbage or construction debris: $500 each. Failing to stay with an open-air fire: $200. Failing to obey an open-air fire prohibition notice or period: $1,150.Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, Sched. B · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingLight or permit any open-air fire to be lit without valid permit $500.00 Failure to remain in attendance of an open-air fire Failure to obey Open Air Fire prohibition notice $1150.00 |
| Bylaw | Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018 (Fire Department Establishment and Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw)Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingBYLAW No. 1001, SCHEDULE “A” |
How it works
The Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018 requires a burning permit for all open burning. It is free from the municipal office or the fire hall. The Fire Chief may attach conditions or refuse, suspend or revoke a permit.
A campfire is a fire in one pile no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide, for recreation. It must be:
- attended by an adult aged 19 or older;
- fully out before anyone leaves it, and no later than 10:00 p.m.;
- not within 5 metres of a building or structure.
Good to know
- Burning in stacked piles (Category 2) and land-clearing debris (Category 3) is banned except in the I-2 Heavy Industrial zone. Burning rooted vegetation, grass or stubble, garbage, prohibited materials or construction debris is also banned. The District says burning garbage, yard waste or grass is not permitted.
- The Fire Chief may order a total ban on open-air fires in hazardous conditions. No open-air fire is allowed while the Fort St. James Forest District is under a Prince George Fire Centre prohibition, and burn permits are suspended for it.
- Small fire pits using seasoned firewood stay allowed at High and Extreme hazard ratings, but not during a campfire prohibition. Then only approved propane, natural gas or charcoal cooking devices, and approved portable propane or natural gas campfire appliances with a flame no taller than 15 cm, are allowed.
- The pages read do not say where to check for a current ban. Ask the Fire Department at 250-996-8670 or the District Office.
- Open-air fire without a valid permit: $500. A Category 2 or 3 fire, or burning rooted vegetation, garbage or construction debris: $500 each. Failing to stay with an open-air fire: $200. Failing to obey a prohibition notice or period: $1,150.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Vanderhoof · Burns Lake · Prince George · Mackenzie · Granisle · Houston
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Fire Safety Regulations Bylaw No. 1001, 2018 (PDF), District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
- Fire Department, District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
- Licences and Permits, District of Fort St James (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.