{"title":"Mackenzie backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Mackenzie?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/mackenzie","name":"Mackenzie","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 Mackenzie","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca"},"short_answer":"In Mackenzie, a backyard campfire needs a Recreational Fire Permit from the Fire Department, and burning yard waste needs a burning permit. No burning is allowed when the forestry hazard is high or extreme. Apply online through Let's Chat Mackenzie.","aliases":["campfire mackenzie bc","burn permit mackenzie","backyard fire mackenzie","burn yard waste mackenzie"],"cost":"No permit fee found in the Fire Protection Services Bylaw or the General Fees bylaw. Ticket for no burn permit: $100.","how_long":"The Fire Department responds to online applications within 3 business days. Recreational permits expire December 31; Category 1, 2 and 3 permits are valid for at most 30 days.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Burn permit application (Let's Chat Mackenzie)","value":"https://www.letschatmackenzie.ca/mackenzie-firerescue-department-permits"},{"type":"in_person","label":"District Main Office","value":"1 Mackenzie Boulevard, Mackenzie, BC V0J 2C0","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)"},{"type":"phone","label":"Fire Department non-emergency line","value":"250-997-1234"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Burn and Fireworks Permits page","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/burn-fireworks-permits/"},{"title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249 (PDF)","url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Mackenzie yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Mackenzie bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/chetwynd","name":"Chetwynd","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/hudsons-hope","name":"Hudson's Hope","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/tumbler-ridge","name":"Tumbler Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/fort-st-james","name":"Fort St James","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-james/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vanderhoof","name":"Vanderhoof","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/prince-george","name":"Prince George","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/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 a Recreational Fire Permit: wood burned in a permanent fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 1 m in diameter that confines the fire. No burning when the forestry hazard is high or extreme. A person over 18 must be in charge, with equipment to control it, and no fire in wind over 10 km/h. Outdoor cooking fires in a proper device (clean dry wood or charcoal) need no permit.","short":"Yes, with a Recreational Fire Permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","section":"s. 25, 26, 27, 33, 34","quotes":["Recreational Type - Backyard Burn Pit/Campfire","No person shall ignite, start or maintain, or allow or cause to be lighted, ignited, started or maintained, an Open Air Fire, except under the terms and conditions of a valid burning permit","outdoor cooking fires, provided the fire is contained in a device or fixture","No person shall ignite or allow an Open Air Fire to burn in wind conditions exceeding"]},{"url":"https://www.letschatmackenzie.ca/mackenzie-firerescue-department-permits","title":"Burn Permits, Let's Chat Mackenzie (linked from the District site)","section":"Burn Permits","quotes":["Recreational Fire Permits are issued all year round, and expire on December 31st.","Burning is not allowed when the forestry hazard is high or extreme","fire pit not larger than 1 m in diameter that is designed and constructed to confine the fire"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Burning yard waste is only by burning permit. The bylaw lets the District issue a permit for residential burning of yard waste (clippings, leaves, tree and shrub prunings) during a specified time each spring and fall set by the Fire Chief, for land clearing debris, or for a special event. Burning household garbage and prohibited materials is banned.","short":"Only with a burning permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","section":"s. 29, 32","quotes":["residential open air burning of yard waste in the nature of clippings, leaves, tree","and shrub prunings during a specified time each spring and fall as determined by the Fire Chief;","household garbage;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes. Apply for a burn permit online through Let's Chat Mackenzie (or get help at the Municipal Office, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); the Fire Department responds within 3 business days. Keep a digital or paper copy of the approved permit to show an officer. Recreational permits are issued year-round and expire December 31; Category 1, 2 and 3 permits are valid for at most 30 days.","short":"Yes; no fee stated","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/burn-fireworks-permits/","title":"Burn and Fireworks Permits, District of Mackenzie","section":"Burn and Fireworks Permits","quotes":["Burn and Fireworks Permits can now be filled out online on Let's Chat Mackenzie.","the Fire Department will review the application and respond within 3 business days"]},{"url":"https://www.letschatmackenzie.ca/mackenzie-firerescue-department-permits","title":"Burn Permits, Let's Chat Mackenzie (linked from the District site)","section":"Burn Permits","quotes":["Category #1, Category #2, and Category #3 permits are valid for a maximum of 30 days from the date of issue"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief can cancel or suspend a burning permit if a fire may create a hazard, and no burning permits are issued during an active Category 1 fire ban in Mackenzie. BC Wildfire Service bans also apply: check its fire bans and restrictions page for your fire centre, and check with the District for local restrictions.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","section":"s. 36","quotes":["if the Fire Chief considers that igniting a fire in any area may create ahazard to"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/emergency-services/fire/","title":"Fire Department, District of Mackenzie","section":"Fire Department","quotes":["Burning permits will not be issued when there is an active category 1 fire ban in Mackenzie."]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/districtofmackenzie-fire-safety/","title":"Fire Safety - District of Mackenzie","section":"Campfire Rules","quotes":["It is the persons’ responsibility to find out what areas have fire bans and restrictions"]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Current prohibitions and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service","section":"Current prohibitions and restrictions","quotes":["Select your fire centre below for more details on current BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) open fire prohibitions","always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"All yard, garden and construction waste must be taken to the Mackenzie Regional Transfer Station (yard and garden waste has a designated drop-off place there). The District also runs a free FireSmart curbside debris pickup in some years.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/","title":"Garbage Collection - District of Mackenzie","section":"Yard & Garden Waste","quotes":["All yard, garden, and construction waste must be taken to the Mackenzie Regional Transfer Station."]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/","title":"Waste & Recycling - District of Mackenzie","section":"Mackenzie Transfer Station","quotes":["There are also designated places on site to drop off used oil, old propane tanks, antifreeze, household appliances, automotive batteries and yard and garden waste."]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/2026-firesmart-curbside-pickup/","title":"2026 FireSmart Curbside Pickup - District of Mackenzie","section":"2026 FireSmart Curbside Pickup","quotes":["FREE FireSmart curbside debris pickup program"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket: $100 for failing to obtain a burn permit (s. 26); for breaking permit conditions $150 (recreational), $250 (Category 1), $350 (Category 2), $500 (Category 3) (s. 35). The bylaw itself sets $1,000 to $10,000 on conviction.","short":"Ticket $100 without a burn permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bylaw-No.-1465-1488-1502-Municipal-Ticket-Information.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502 (PDF)","section":"Schedule 9","quotes":["1. Failure to obtain Burn Permit. 26. $100","2. Recreational Fire Permit – Non-Compliance. 35.(a) $150","5. Category #3 Fire Permit – Non-Compliance. 35.(d) $500"]},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","section":"s. 41","quotes":["a minimum fine of $1000 and a maximum fine of $10,000"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (ss. 25 to 37).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","section":"s. 1","quotes":["This Bylaw may be cited as the \"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010\""]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-08"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe District of Mackenzie's [Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249](https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf) requires a Recreational Fire Permit for a recreational fire. That is wood burned in a permanent fireplace, barbecue or fire pit not larger than 1 m in diameter that confines the fire. Outdoor cooking fires in a proper device, using clean dry wood or charcoal, need no permit. Burning yard waste (clippings, leaves, tree and shrub prunings) is only by burning permit, during a specified time each spring and fall set by the Fire Chief, or for land clearing debris or a special event. Burning household garbage and prohibited materials is banned.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Apply online through Let's Chat Mackenzie, or get help at the Municipal Office, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\n2. Keep a digital or paper copy of the approved permit to show an officer.\n3. Follow the permit conditions. A person over 18 must be in charge, with equipment to control the fire, and no fire is allowed in wind over 10 km/h.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- No burning when the forestry hazard is high or extreme. The Fire Chief can cancel or suspend a permit if a fire may create a hazard, and no permits are issued during an active Category 1 fire ban in Mackenzie.\n- BC Wildfire Service bans also apply: check its fire bans and restrictions page for your fire centre, and check with the District for local restrictions.\n- Instead of burning, take yard, garden and construction waste to the Mackenzie Regional Transfer Station.\n- Municipal tickets: $100 for no burn permit. Breaking permit conditions is $150 (recreational), $250 (Category 1), $350 (Category 2) or $500 (Category 3).","sources":[{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Bylaw-No.-1249-Fire-Protection-Services.pdf","title":"Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 1249, 2010 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/burn-fireworks-permits/","title":"Burn and Fireworks Permits, District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www.letschatmackenzie.ca/mackenzie-firerescue-department-permits","title":"Burn Permits, Let's Chat Mackenzie (linked from the District site)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/emergency-services/fire/","title":"Fire Department, District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Current prohibitions and restrictions, BC Wildfire Service","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bylaw-No.-1465-1488-1502-Municipal-Ticket-Information.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1465, 2022, amended by Nos. 1488 and 1502 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/districtofmackenzie-fire-safety/","title":"Fire Safety - District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/garbage/","title":"Garbage Collection - District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/public-services/public-works/waste-recycling/","title":"Waste & Recycling - District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"},{"url":"https://districtofmackenzie.ca/2026-firesmart-curbside-pickup/","title":"2026 FireSmart Curbside Pickup - District of Mackenzie","accessed":"2026-11-08"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-08","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/mackenzie/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-fire.json"}}