---
title: Kitimat backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Kitimat?"
place: Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/kitimat
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Kitimat backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In Kitimat you can have a backyard fire pit without a permit if it meets the Code's rules: one non-combustible pit, no wider than 1 m in R1-A to R2-B zones, 3 m from buildings, lit after 8 a.m. and out by 11 p.m. Burning brush or yard waste needs a Fire Chief burn permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal  
**Cost:** Fire pit: no permit. No burn permit fee was found in the Code or the form. Open burning: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days). Burning outside 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with no fire watch or no permit: $500 bylaw notice ($450 early); $1,000 ticket. Burning against a Fire Chief directive: $3,000 ticket.  
**How long:** The burn permit form says to allow 2 to 3 business days.  
**Where:**
- In person: Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, 1101 Kingfisher Avenue, Kitimat, BC
- Phone: Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, 250-632-8940
- Email: Fire Prevention Officer, fire@kitimat.ca

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, if the zoning allows a fire pit: one non-combustible pit per property, no wider than 1 m (R1-A to R2-B) or 1.5 m (G3, G4, G5-A zones), 3 m from buildings, fences and standing timber; seasoned wood only; adult 18+ supervising; no smoke nuisance. Lit after 8 a.m., out by 11 p.m.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.2(c), 5.1.22.3](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "a backyard fire for recreational purposes subject to" … "a maximum one Fire Pit per property" … "no larger than 1 meter" … "no larger than 1.5" … "Fire Pits must be a minimum of 3 meters" … "only cut, seasoned wood, charcoal or commercially fabricated fire place logs shall" … "supervised at" … "least 18 years old" … "before 8:00 AM and every person shall completely extinguish an" … "Open Burning by 11:00 PM" … "smoke from Fire Pits shall not create a" … "nuisance to other properties; and" … "any fire in a Fire Pit must be extinguished"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Burning brush or yard waste needs a Fire Chief burn permit (Class A, Category 2 fires only): one or two piles up to 2 m high and 3 m wide, and in Kitimat's high smoke sensitivity zone at most 6 days a month and 12 a year. Garden refuse may not be burned in fire pits.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.1-2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall light, ignite, start, or maintain an Open Burning or" … "authorized by a permit issued by the Fire Chief."
  - Source: [Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Pamphlet p.1](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/backyard-fire-pits-pamphlet.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Materials such as rubbish, garden refuse and" … "manure shall not be burned at anytime in"
  - Source: [Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Class A Burn Permit conditions 3, 5, 6](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/classa-burn-permitapplication-fillable2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Issued for CATEGORY 2 Fires only." … "Within or partially within a high smoke sensitivity zone (District of Kitimat) must ensure that open burning on the parcel of" … "Category 2 material in 1 or 2 piles not exceeding 2-metres in height and 3-metres in width." … "12 days or portions of days in each calendar year, and" … "6 days or portions of days in each calendar month."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** A fire pit under s. 5.1.22.2(c) needs no permit. Other open burning needs a permit issued by the Fire Chief (Class A Burn Permit application to Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, fire@kitimat.ca or 1101 Kingfisher Ave.). Allow 2 to 3 business days.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.2(d), 5.1.23.1](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "No person shall light, start, ignite or maintain a fire permitted" … "without a permit issued by the Fire Chief."
  - Source: [Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Class A Burn Permit form](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/classa-burn-permitapplication-fillable2025.pdf)
  - Official wording: "please allow 2 – 3 business days for processing" … "fire@kitimat.ca"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may issue a directive prohibiting some or all open burning, and may suspend or revoke burning permits. The fire pamphlet says fires are prohibited in fire pits when the Fire Department or the Ministry of Forests has issued a fire ban, and tells residents to check with the Fire Department. Kitimat Fire and Ambulance: (250) 632-8940.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.5](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "the Fire Chief may issue a" … "directive prohibiting some or all Open Burning"
  - Source: [Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Pamphlet p.1-2](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/backyard-fire-pits-pamphlet.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Please check with the Fire Department" … "Phone: (250) 632-8940"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Yard waste: curbside collection in kraft paper bags or rigid cans (Part 7, Division 1) or the Kitimat landfill.
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 7.1.9.2; Schedule A](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Yard Waste Collection Service shall not be less than once Bi-" … "Kraft Paper Bags with a capacity of not more than 121"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Open burning: bylaw notice $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); municipal ticket $1,000 ($500 within 30 days). Burning outside 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., no fire watch, or no Fire Chief permit: $500 bylaw notice ($450 early); $1,000 ticket. Burning against a Fire Chief directive: $3,000 ticket.
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5 table](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Burning" … "5.1.22.1" … "$250" … "Open Burning outside authorized hours" … "$500"
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Schedule B](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Open Burning outside authorized hours"
  - Source: [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026, Schedules A and B, rows 47-51](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf)
  - Official wording: "47 Open Burning 5.1.22.1 $ 250.00 $ 200.00 $ 350.00" … "48 Open Burning outside authorized hours 5.1.22.3 $ 500.00 $ 450.00" … "49 Failure to establish or maintain Fire Watch 5.1.22.4 $ 500.00 $ 450.00" … "51 Igniting or Maintaining Fire Without Fire Chief Permit 5.1.23.1 $ 500.00 $ 450.00" … "47 Open Burning 5.1.22.1 $1,000.00 $500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5, Division 1 - Fire Protection (s. 5.1.22 Open Air Burning; s. 5.1.23 Burning Permits)
  - Source: [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Subdivision 22 - Open Air Burning"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Part 5, Division 1 (Fire Protection) of the [Kitimat Municipal Code](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) allows a campfire in a fire pit with no permit if zoning allows one. Rules: one non-combustible pit per property, no wider than 1 m (R1-A to R2-B) or 1.5 m (G3, G4, G5-A zones), 3 m from buildings, fences and standing timber; seasoned wood only; an adult 18 or older supervising; no smoke nuisance; lit after 8 a.m. and out by 11 p.m. Campfires are also allowed in designated fire pits in Radley Park and Hirsch Creek Park.

Burning brush or yard waste needs a Fire Chief burn permit (Class A, Category 2 fires only): one or two piles up to 2 m high and 3 m wide. In Kitimat's high smoke sensitivity zone, burning is limited to 6 days a month and 12 a year. Garden refuse may not be burned in fire pits.

## Steps

1. For yard waste, apply with the Class A Burn Permit form to Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (fire@kitimat.ca or 1101 Kingfisher Ave.). Allow 2 to 3 business days.
2. Before any fire, check for a current fire ban with the Fire Department at 250-632-8940.

## Good to know

- The Fire Chief may prohibit some or all open burning and may suspend or revoke permits. The fire pamphlet says fires are prohibited in fire pits during a fire ban from the Fire Department or the Ministry of Forests.
- Alternatives to burning yard waste: curbside yard waste collection or the Kitimat landfill.
- Open burning: a bylaw notice is $250 ($200 if paid within 14 days; $350 late); a municipal ticket is $1,000 ($500 if paid within 30 days).
- Burning outside 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with no fire watch, or without a Fire Chief permit: $500 bylaw notice ($450 if paid within 14 days); $1,000 municipal ticket. Burning against a Fire Chief directive: $3,000 municipal ticket.

## Official forms and pages

- [Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/classa-burn-permitapplication-fillable2025.pdf)
- [Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/backyard-fire-pits-pamphlet.pdf)
- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Kitimat fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/fireworks.md)
- [Kitimat yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/yard-waste.md)
- [Kitimat bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/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)
- [Terrace](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/terrace/backyard-fire.md)
- [Port Edward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-edward/backyard-fire.md)
- [Prince Rupert](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-rupert/backyard-fire.md)
- [Telkwa](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/telkwa/backyard-fire.md)
- [Smithers](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/smithers/backyard-fire.md)
- [Houston](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/houston/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/kmc-consolidated-2026-02.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/backyard-fire-pits-pamphlet.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/classa-burn-permitapplication-fillable2025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/2026-05-19-reg.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (PDF)](https://docs.kitimat.ca/docs/part1-div3-municipalticket-20241202.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 any government. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kitimat/backyard-fire/_