Kitimat backyard fire and burning rules

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

Kitimat, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

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.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.2(c), 5.1.22.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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
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.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.1-2; Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Pamphlet p.1; Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Class A Burn Permit conditions 3, 5, 6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall light, ignite, start, or maintain an Open Burning or authorized by a permit issued by the Fire Chief. Materials such as rubbish, garden refuse and manure shall not be burned at anytime in 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.
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.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.2(d), 5.1.23.1; Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Class A Burn Permit form · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording No person shall light, start, ignite or maintain a fire permitted without a permit issued by the Fire Chief. please allow 2 – 3 business days for processing fire@kitimat.ca
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.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22.5; Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance, Pamphlet p.1-2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording the Fire Chief may issue a directive prohibiting some or all Open Burning Please check with the Fire Department Phone: (250) 632-8940
Instead of burning	Yard waste: curbside collection in kraft paper bags or rigid cans (Part 7, Division 1) or the Kitimat landfill.Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 7.1.9.2; Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Yard Waste Collection Service shall not be less than once Bi- Kraft Paper Bags with a capacity of not more than 121
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.Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5 table; Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, Schedule B; Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026, Schedules A and B, rows 47-51 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Open Burning 5.1.22.1 $250 Open Burning outside authorized hours $500 Open Burning outside authorized hours 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
Bylaw	Kitimat Municipal Code, Part 5, Division 1 - Fire Protection (s. 5.1.22 Open Air Burning; s. 5.1.23 Burning Permits)Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02, s. 5.1.22 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Subdivision 22 - Open Air Burning

How it works

Part 5, Division 1 (Fire Protection) of the Kitimat Municipal Code 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

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.
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

The same question in other places

Terrace · Port Edward · Prince Rupert · Telkwa · Smithers · Houston

Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

Kitimat Municipal Code, consolidated 2026-02 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Backyard Fire Pits pamphlet, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Class A Burn Permit application, Kitimat Fire and Ambulance (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Enforcement Bylaw No. 2086, 2026, council agenda copy of May 19, 2026 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information System, Part 1 Division 3 of the Kitimat Municipal Code (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. How answers are checked.