Harrison Hot Springs backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Harrison Hot Springs?
Short answer
In Harrison Hot Springs, residential campfires and open burning, including yard waste, are prohibited. Only approved propane or natural-gas fire pits with a flame no more than 15 cm tall, and normal barbecues, are allowed on private property. Residents cannot get a burning permit.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | No. Residential campfires and outdoor burning are prohibited. Only propane or natural-gas style fire pits are exempt: a CSA or ULC approved liquid-fuel or gas outdoor fireplace, heater or fire pit with a flame no more than 15 cm tall (up to a 20 lb propane tank), on private property. CSA or ULC approved electric or wood-pellet smokers and normal use of barbecues and hibachis for cooking are also allowed on private property.Community Safety, Community Safety page; Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017, s. 3.1 and 4.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingResidential campfires and outdoor burning are prohibited in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. at any time, on any beach or foreshore of Harrison Lake, Harrison River The normal use of a CSA rated or ULC rated approved liquid fuel or private property; and |
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| Burning yard waste | No. The bylaw bans setting an outdoor fire or open burning of wood, rubbish, garden refuse, tires, plastic or construction waste anywhere in the Village, on any beach or foreshore of Harrison Lake, Harrison River or Miami River, with the exemptions in s. 4 (for example Fire Department training and Village public works).Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017, s. 3.1.1 and s. 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingset out, start, or kindle an outdoor fire or permit open burning of any zone within the Village of Harrison Hot Springs Any fire set outdoors under the control of the Village public works |
| Permit | Residents cannot get a permit for backyard burning. Campground operators need a Communal Campfire permit ($100; expires December 31). Fireworks need a Display Permit.Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017, s. 5.1 to 5.4; Miscellaneous Fee Bylaw No. 1049 (consolidated to December 15, 2025), Schedule C, item 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingA campground operator must not permit or allow a campfire to be set will terminate on the 31 Communal Campground Fire Permit $100.00 |
| Fire bans | The Fire Chief or any Fire Department officer may prohibit permitted fires when there are hazardous fire conditions, poor air quality, high wind or an air inversion. A communal campfire permit can also be suspended when the Provincial Wildfire Service issues a fire prohibition or area restriction. The Village points to BC Wildfire Service for current restrictions.Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017, s. 6.1 and 6.2; Community Safety, Community Safety page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordinghazardous fire conditions, poor air quality, high wind conditions or an air may be suspended upon issuance of a Provincial Wildfire Service Fire Prohibition For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions and air quality advisories, go to BC Wildfire Services. |
| Instead of burning | Yard waste goes in the weekly organics collection (green waste in the organics container, plus up to ten paper yard waste bags), or to the Agassiz Recycling & Bottle Depot green waste bin, the Parr Road Green Depot (Chilliwack) or the Bailey Landfill (Chilliwack).Garbage & Recycling, Garbage & Recycling page · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingOrganics collected weekly. Agassiz Recycling & Bottle Depot (Green waste bin on location) Parr Road Green Depot |
| Fine | Open burning or kindling a fire: $500 ($490 early, $510 late). Using fireworks without a display permit, a tiki torch (where banned) or a sky lantern: $100. Communal campfire offences: $100 to $200.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855, 2006 (consolidated to April 7, 2026), Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingSet, start or kindle fire or permit open burning of wood, wood 500.00 490.00 510.00 Use fireworks without display permit 100.00 90.00 110.00 Use or fly a sky lantern 100.00 90.00 110.00 |
| Bylaw | Village of Harrison Hot Springs Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017.Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingOpen Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017 |
How it works
Under the Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, residential campfires and open burning are prohibited. You may not set an outdoor fire or burn wood, rubbish, garden refuse, tires, plastic or construction waste anywhere in the Village, including on any beach or foreshore of Harrison Lake, Harrison River or Miami River, apart from the exemptions in s. 4 (for example Fire Department training and Village public works).
Allowed on private property:
- A CSA or ULC approved liquid-fuel or gas outdoor fireplace, heater or fire pit with a flame no more than 15 cm tall (up to a 20 lb propane tank).
- CSA or ULC approved electric or wood-pellet smokers.
- Normal use of barbecues and hibachis for cooking.
Steps
- Do not burn yard waste. Put it in the weekly organics collection (green waste in the organics container, plus up to ten paper yard-waste bags), or take it to the Agassiz Recycling & Bottle Depot green waste bin, the Parr Road Green Depot or the Bailey Landfill in Chilliwack. See the yard waste answer.
- For a campground, apply for a Communal Campfire permit ($100; it expires December 31).
- Check current provincial fire restrictions with BC Wildfire Service before any outdoor flame.
Good to know
- Residents cannot get a permit for backyard burning. Only campgrounds can get a Communal Campfire permit, for their patrons. Fireworks need a Display Permit (see the fireworks answer).
- The Fire Chief or any Fire Department officer may prohibit permitted fires when there are hazardous fire conditions, poor air quality, high wind or an air inversion. A communal campfire permit can also be suspended when the Provincial Wildfire Service issues a fire prohibition or area restriction.
- The Village's Community Safety page also mentions an Outdoor Campfire Permit form at the Village Office, but it says residential campfires are prohibited. Call 604-796-2171 to confirm.
- Tickets under the Village's Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855: $500 ($490 early, $510 late) for open burning or kindling a fire; communal campfire offences $100 to $200.
Official forms and pages
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Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Open Burning and Outdoor Fire Regulation Bylaw No. 1110, 2017 (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Community Safety, Village of Harrison Hot Springs (read 2026-11-08)
- Miscellaneous Fee Bylaw No. 1049 (consolidated to December 15, 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 855, 2006 (consolidated to April 7, 2026) (PDF) (read 2026-11-08)
- Garbage & Recycling, Village of Harrison Hot Springs (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.