Montrose backyard fire and burning rules

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

Montrose, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

In Montrose, open burning and burning yard waste are not allowed. A backyard campfire is allowed only with a $15 Residential Campfire Permit from the Village office, valid January 1 to December 31, and only when no fire ban is in force.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	Allowed with a yearly Residential Campfire Permit: in the backyard, in a fire pit no wider than 0.5 m, at least 4 m from trees, shrubs, structures and debris, always attended, with water or a shovel at hand, burning clean firewood only, and not on windy days.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, s. 4(3) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording May only be started and maintained in a fire pit which must have a diameter that is no larger than 0.5 m; Must be located at least four meters from trees, shrubs, structures and debris; Must be located in the backyard of the property; Only clean firewood can be used in the campfire.
Burning yard waste	Not allowed. Open burning is prohibited, and yard waste burning is expressly prohibited.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, s. 3(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording No person shall engage in Open Burning. For certainty, yard waste burning is prohibited.
Permit	Yes, for a campfire. A Residential Campfire Permit costs $15 and is valid January 1 to December 31. Buy it at the Village municipal office; the application needs a photo of the fire pit, and the permit must be displayed at the campfire site.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, s. 4(1)-(2) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording at a cost of fifteen dollars ($15.00) from the Village Municipal office prior to having a campfire and must include a photograph of the fire pit
Fire bans	Before lighting a campfire, check the current fire ban and restriction guidelines of BC Wildfire Service, Southeast Fire Centre (Kootenay Boundary Region). If a ban is issued, the campfire permit is voided until the ban is lifted. The Fire Chief can also declare a general ban.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, s. 4(4); Schedule C; s. 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording All persons must refer to the British Columbia Wildfire Services, FIRE BAN IS ISSUED BY THE BC WILDFIRE SERVICE, SOUTHEAST FIRE CENTRE YOUR CAMPFIRE PERMIT IS VOIDED “Ban” means a general prohibition declared by the Fire Chief
Instead of burning	The Village page lists seasonal spring and fall yard waste removal and a Green Bin collection (an RDKB service, contracted to GFL).Curbside Pickups, What's Included · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Spring & Fall yard waste removal (seasonal) Green Bin collection (RDKB service) – Contracted to GFL
Fine	No ticket system found. Fines on conviction under the Offence Act: open burning without a Residential Campfire Permit $500; failing to follow the permit terms and conditions $250.Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, Schedule A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Open Burning Without a Residential Campfire Permit 4(1) $500.00 Failure to follow terms and conditions of Residential Campfire Permit 4(5) $250.00 Open Burning Without a Residential Campfire Permit prosecution under the Offence Act and be liable, upon conviction, to a
Bylaw	Fire Prevention Bylaw #786, 2024Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, 2024, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording Fire Prevention Bylaw # 786, 2024

How it works

Under the Village's Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 786, open burning is prohibited and burning yard waste is expressly prohibited. Open burning means burning without a device that allows controlled combustion or without a stack or chimney. A backyard campfire is allowed with a yearly Residential Campfire Permit.

Steps

Buy the permit at the Village municipal office. The application needs a photo of your fire pit.
Display the permit at the campfire site.
Use a fire pit no wider than 0.5 m, at least 4 m from trees, shrubs, structures and debris.
Stay with the fire, keep water or a shovel at hand, burn clean firewood only, and do not burn on windy days.

Good to know

Before lighting, check the current fire ban and restriction guidelines of BC Wildfire Service, Southeast Fire Centre. If a ban is issued, the permit is void until it is lifted. The Fire Chief can also declare a general ban.
Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue or the Village can cancel a permit, and a cancelled permit cannot be renewed.
Barbecues are allowed in open yard space unless the Fire Chief has declared a ban, and always on a deck, verandah or patio.
Fines on conviction: $500 for open burning without a permit, $250 for not following the permit terms.
For yard waste, the Village lists seasonal spring and fall yard waste removal and a Green Bin collection run by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.