---
title: Highlands backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Highlands?"
place: Highlands, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/highlands
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Highlands
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Highlands backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Highlands?

**Short answer:** In Highlands, every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs a free burn permit from the Fire Chief, all year. Campfire permits are approved automatically online. Burn only when the Ventilation Index is "good". A fire without a permit is a $500 ticket.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Highlands, https://www.highlands.ca)  
**Cost:** Free. Burn permits are free of charge. A fire without a permit is a $500 bylaw notice or municipal ticket.  
**How long:** Campfire permits (up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m) and Open Air permits up to 1 m x 1 m are approved automatically online; larger ones are approved manually.  
**Where:**
- Online: Burning permits (District online permit system), https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits
- Phone: District Office (Fire Chief), 250-474-1773

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Allowed only with a free burn permit from the Fire Chief: every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs one, all year. Campfire permits (up to 0.5 m x 0.5 m) are approved automatically online. Residential charcoal-briquette, natural gas or propane appliances on a firm non-combustible base need no permit.
  - Source: [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(a) and 33(h)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)
  - Official wording: "any fire of any kind whatsoever in the open air or in an appliance, container or device in the open air, without first having obtained a permit from the Fire Chief" … "an outdoor appliance that uses charcoal briquettes or is" … "fueled by and burns natural gas or propane, for residential use only is permitted"
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits)
  - Official wording: "ALL outdoor fires in the Highlands require a permit." … "Campfire permits (max size .5m x .5m)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** Only with a permit. The Fire Chief may permit burning of brush, stumps and slash from land clearing, and dry garden refuse, on conditions. Burn only when the Ventilation Index is forecast 'good'. Garbage, treated wood, plastic and construction waste may not be burned; paper only to start a fire.
  - Source: [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(b), (d), (e)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)
  - Official wording: "(iv) garden refuse" … "the burning of brush, stumps, slash and like materials, resulting from the" … "the burning of dry garden refuse;" … "Ventilation Index covering the District is forecast as “good”" … "paper products, other than to start a fire;" … "construction or demolition waste is prohibited"
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits)
  - Official wording: "Note: There is no longer an "open season" for burning"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** Yes. Get a free burn permit from the Fire Chief through the District's online permit system. Permits are required year-round and are free of charge.
  - Source: [Burning Permits](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits)
  - Official wording: "These permits are mandatory year-round and are free of charge." … "The District of Highlands offers a FREE online permitting process for all open burning."
  - Source: [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(a) and s. 38](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)
  - Official wording: "without first having obtained a permit from the Fire Chief."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may order that no burning is to occur in the District for an indefinite or specified period, and permits already issued stop being effective. Check the BC Ventilation Index before burning; burning is allowed only when it is 'good'.
  - Source: [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 33(e) and (f)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may, where he/she deems it expedient to do so, order that no burning" … "previously issued permits cease to be effective as of the date of such order."
  - Source: [Wood and Backyard Burning, Check Conditions Before You Burn](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning)
  - Official wording: "Burning is only permitted when the index is rated “GOOD” for the day."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** Compost leaves and clippings, hire a tree-trimming company to remove land-clearing debris, or take yard and garden material to CRD Hartland Landfill (fees apply).
  - Source: [Wood and Backyard Burning](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning)
  - Official wording: "Compost leaves and clippings instead of burning them." … "Hire tree trimming companies to dispose of land clearing debris."
  - Source: [Hartland Landfill rates and accepted items, Capital Regional District, Yard & Garden Waste](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/garbage-recycling/hartland-landfill/rates-accepted-items)
  - Official wording: "Yard and garden material (less than 3"dia) - $59/tonne, $10 minimum"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Open-air fire without a permit (s. 33(a)): bylaw notice $500 ($400 within 14 days; $600 after 28 days); municipal ticket $500. Burning contrary to a permit condition or outside the distance rules: $200. Open-air fire during a burning ban (s. 33(f)): municipal ticket $1,150.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025, Schedule A, Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1623)
  - Official wording: "Open air fire without permit 33 a) $500.00 $400.00 $600.00" … "Burning fires outside distance" … "35 $200.00 $160.00 $240.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025, Schedule A, Appendix 8](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1635)
  - Official wording: "Open air fire during a burning ban 33 f) $1,150.00" … "Open air fire without permit 33 a) $500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025.
  - Source: [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025, s. 1](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)
  - Official wording: "This Bylaw may be cited as " Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025”."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

Under the [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612), every open-air fire, including a campfire, needs a free burn permit from the Fire Chief, all year. Residential charcoal-briquette, natural gas or propane appliances on a firm non-combustible base need no permit. The Fire Chief may permit burning of brush, stumps and slash from land clearing, and dry garden refuse, on conditions. Garbage, treated wood, plastic and construction waste may not be burned; paper only to start a fire.

## Steps

1. Get a free permit through the District's online burning permit system.
2. Burn only when the BC Ventilation Index is forecast "good".
3. Keep a fire larger than 0.5 m³ at least 6 m from any building or property line and 1 m from shrubbery, tall grass, a fence or other combustibles.

## Good to know

- Fires over 1 m³ must be 500 m from any residence or business and 15 m from combustibles.
- The Fire Chief may order that no burning is to occur for an indefinite or specified period, and permits already issued stop being effective. Check the District and the Province for current bans; the District's page says campfires are also controlled under the provincial Wildfire Act.
- Alternatives: compost leaves and clippings, hire a tree-trimming company, or take yard material to CRD Hartland Landfill (fees apply).
- Fire without a permit: bylaw notice $500 ($400 within 14 days; $600 after 28 days); municipal ticket $500. Burning against a permit condition or the distance rules: $200. Open-air fire during a burning ban: municipal ticket $1,150.

## Official forms and pages

- [Burning Permits, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits)
- [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612)

## Related questions

- [Highlands bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/bylaw-fines.md)
- [Highlands yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/yard-waste.md)
- [Highlands fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/fireworks.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/backyard-fire.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/backyard-fire.md)
- [Central Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/central-saanich/backyard-fire.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/backyard-fire.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/backyard-fire.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire Control and Protection Bylaw No. 474, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1612) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Burning Permits, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning/burning-permits) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Wood and Backyard Burning, District of Highlands](https://www.highlands.ca/community-services/protective-services/fire-services/wood-and-backyard-burning) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Hartland Landfill rates and accepted items, Capital Regional District](https://www.crd.ca/programs-services/garbage-recycling/hartland-landfill/rates-accepted-items) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 475, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1623) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 478, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.highlands.ca/media/1635) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Highlands. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/backyard-fire/_