{"title":"Lake Country backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Lake Country?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"bylaws-and-complaints","name":"Bylaws, noise and complaints"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"District of Lake Country","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca"},"short_answer":"In Lake Country, campfires are allowed with the owner's permission if they are no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, but not when fire hazard is rated high. Burning yard waste is not allowed except dry prunings and branches, with a $20 permit, on 1 hectare or more, October 1 to April 30.","aliases":["campfire lake country","open burning permit lake country","fire pit lake country","burn ban lake country"],"cost":"Open burning permit $20, or $30 for farm-assessed (Class 9) properties; $0 for an insect or disease burning permit. Special burning permits $1,000 a month. No permit is needed for campfires.","how_long":"Not stated on the pages read.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Open burning permit information (RDCO)","value":"https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/"},{"type":"phone","label":"RDCO Outdoor Burning Hotline","value":"1-855-262-2876"},{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Department administration (non-emergency)","value":"250-766-2327"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated)","url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated"},{"title":"Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan","url":"https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Lake Country fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Lake Country yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Lake Country bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/kelowna","name":"Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/west-kelowna","name":"West Kelowna","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/peachland","name":"Peachland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-fire/"}],"topic":{"title":"Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire/"},"facts":{"campfires":{"label":"Backyard campfires","value":"Yes, with the property owner's permission: seasoned wood only, no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, watched by a competent person with equipment to stop it spreading, and at least 3 m from anything combustible. A campfire is a fire for cooking, heat or light for camping or recreation.","short":"Yes, up to 1 m across and 1 m high","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 1 (Campfire), s. 3","quotes":["Campfires are permitted with the permission of the property owner provided that the fire is","fueled by seasoned wood and provided the fire is no larger than one metre in diameter and height","A minimum","separation of three metres shall be maintained between campfires and any combustible material."]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 1","quotes":["“Campfire” means a fire used for the purpose of cooking and/or to provide heat and light"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Not for grass, leaves, weeds or garden waste. Only dry prunings, branches, trunks and stumps from your own parcel may be burned, with a permit, on properties of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more, October 1 to April 30, from 7 a.m. to sunset, 30 m from property lines and buildings, pile no bigger than 2 m high by 3 m across.","short":"Only dry prunings, with a permit, on 1 hectare or more","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 4(c), 5, 7","quotes":["no person shall burn garbage,","compostable materials, or prohibited materials.","All permitted burning materials shall originate from the parcel of land where the burn is","Only those residents that have properties greater than or equal to 1 hectare (2.5 acres) are","October 1 to December 31","January 1 to April 30","A minimum separation of thirty (30) metres shall be maintained between the location of a","No fire shall be larger than 2 metres in height by 3 metres in diameter;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes, for open burning (not campfires). Apply to the District (online). Fee $20, or $30 for farm-assessed (Class 9) properties; $0 for an insect or disease burning permit. Special burning permits are $1,000 a month.","short":"Yes for open burning, $20","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 4(a), 4(b)","quotes":["an application for a Burning Permit in the form provided by the District of Lake Country."]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated","title":"Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"Schedule 17","quotes":["Burning Permit $20.00","Burning Permit for Farm assessed properties (Class 9) $30.00","Special Burning Permit $1,000.00/month"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"RDCO Open burning page","quotes":["District of Lake Country - Apply online for a burning permit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"No campfires when the Ministry of Forests rates fire hazard 'high' or at any other time it deems dangerous. The Fire Chief may suspend or cancel burning. RDCO posts daily burning conditions (green, yellow, red) updated about 8 a.m.; Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 3, 8(a)","quotes":["No campfires will be allowed when the fire hazard is rated as “high”","may withhold, suspend or cancel any burning"]},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"RDCO Open burning page","quotes":["Current conditions are updated daily at approximately 8 a.m.","Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Curbside yard waste cart, collected every other week March 1 to December 31, or haul it to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station (fees apply).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/","title":"Yard Waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan","section":"RDCO Yard waste page","quotes":["Yard waste is collected every other week from March 1 to December 31.","Haul extra yard waste to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station. Fees apply."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 if paid after 28 days) for an unauthorized campfire or open burning without a permit. Municipal ticket $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days). Court fine under the bylaw $100 to $2,000.","short":"Notice $100 ($50 if paid in 14 days); ticket $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"Schedule A.9","quotes":["3 Unauthorized campfire $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes","4(b) Open burning without approved $100.00 $50.00 $125.00 Yes"]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"Schedule 10","quotes":["3 Unauthorized campfire $100.00 $50.00","4(b) Open burning without approved permit $100.00 $50.00"]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"s. 12","quotes":["liable to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $2,000.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (District of Lake Country); permit fee in Fees Bylaw 987, 2016, Schedule 17.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","section":"Citation s. 15","quotes":["This bylaw may be cited as “Burning Bylaw 612, 2007”."]},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated","title":"Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","section":"Schedule 17","quotes":["SCHEDULE 17 FIRE PREVENTION, BURNING, SAFE PREMISES FEES"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe [Burning Bylaw 612](<https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated>) allows campfires in Lake Country with the property owner's permission. A campfire is a fire for cooking, heat or light for camping or recreation. It must burn seasoned wood only, be no bigger than 1 m across and 1 m high, be watched by a competent person with equipment to stop it spreading, and be at least 3 m from anything combustible.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. For a campfire, check the burning conditions first. The RDCO posts daily conditions (green, yellow or red) around 8 a.m. The Outdoor Burning Hotline is 1-855-262-2876.\n2. For open burning of prunings, apply to the District for a permit online. The fee is $20 ($30 for farm-assessed properties).\n3. Burn only on a property of 1 hectare (2.5 acres) or more, from October 1 to April 30, between 7 a.m. and sunset.\n4. Keep the pile no bigger than 2 m high by 3 m across and 30 m from property lines and buildings, and supervise it at all times.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Open burning is not allowed for grass, leaves, weeds or garden waste. Only dry prunings, branches, trunks and stumps from your own parcel may be burned. Burn only when the Venting Index is \"Good\". Stumps over 20 cm need two years of drying.\n- No campfires when the Ministry of Forests rates fire hazard high or at any other time it deems dangerous. The Fire Chief may suspend or cancel burning. Provincial bans were not checked.\n- Burning in an incinerator, burning barrel or outdoor fireplace with a flue is banned. The bylaw does not mention fire pits or chimineas by name.\n- Instead of burning, use the yard waste cart or take it to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station (fees apply).\n- A bylaw notice for an unauthorized campfire or burning without a permit is $100 ($50 if paid within 14 days, $125 after 28 days). A municipal ticket is $100 ($50 if paid within 30 days). The bylaw's court fine is $100 to $2,000. If the Fire Department attends a non-compliant burn, actual costs plus 15% are billed.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/burning-bylaw-612-2007-consolidated","title":"Burning Bylaw 612, 2007 (consolidated to 2017), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/fees-bylaw-987-2016-consolidated","title":"Fees Bylaw 987, 2016 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/environment/open-burning/","title":"Open Burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/","title":"Yard Waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/bylaw-notice-enforcement-bylaw-760-2010-consolidated","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 760, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.lakecountry.bc.ca/media/file/municipal-ticket-information-bylaw-753-2010-consolidated","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 753, 2010 (consolidated), District of Lake Country","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire.json"}}