Powell River backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Powell River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

In Powell River you may burn only dry garden refuse, with a permit from the Fire Chief, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in April and November. Garbage, plastics and demolition waste can never be burned. Call the Fire Hall at 604-485-4431 for a permit, and check for burning bans.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	The bylaw does not mention campfires or fire pits by name. It says no one may start or maintain an open fire unless it is allowed under s. 3(e) (permitted garden-refuse burning) or under a permit from the Fire Chief. Charcoal fires in barbecues and hibachis for cooking are not "open burning".Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated), ss. 2, 3(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person shall not start or maintain an open fire, or cause or allow an open fire to be started or maintained unless the fire is allowed under Subsection 3(e) or under a permit but it does not include charcoal fires contained within barbecues and hibachis for the purpose of cooking
Burning yard waste	Only dry garden refuse (leaves, foliage, prunings, weeds, crops or stubble) may be burned, and only with a permit from the Fire Chief, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., during April 1-30 and November 1-30. The fire must be on your property at least 4.6 m from all property lines and buildings and at least 1.5 m from grass, shrubs, trees or wooden fences, watched continuously by someone 16 or older with emergency equipment able to put it out in five minutes, and burning only when the Ventilation Index is forecast "good". No burning of garbage or noxious material (tires, plastics, demolition waste, treated lumber and so on).Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated), ss. 3, 4, 6; Sch. A · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Permits will be issued for open burning of garden refuse only, (iii) The fire is burning during the time period between 0900 hours and 15001 hours (iv) The fire is during designated months (the period 01 April to 30 April and 01 (v) The fire is on the person’s property and is at least 4.6 m from all property lines and residential backyard burning must not be initiated No person shall burn garbage and/or noxious material in an open fire
Permit	Yes, a Residential Backyard Burning Permit from the Fire Chief (Powell River Fire Rescue). Fire Hall: (604) 485-4431.Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated), ss. 3(e), 7; Sch. A; Fire Prevention Bylaw 1932, 2001, s. 21(b) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording without first having obtained a permit to do so from the Fire Chief. For information phone: #1 Fire Hall (604) 485-4431 RESIDENTIAL BACKYARD BURNING PERMIT (ii) open burning/land clearing, residential backyard burning.
Fire bans	The Fire Chief sets burning ban periods and may suspend permits; the public is told through a local newspaper or local radio. BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside municipalities, which set their own, so check the City as well as the BC Wildfire Service fire prohibitions page.Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated), ss. 3(b), 7(c); Fire Prevention Bylaw 1932, 2001, s. 10(d); Fire bans and restrictions, Government of BC, Within municipal boundaries; Current prohibitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Open burning is prohibited during times specified by the Fire Chief as burning ban he may suspend for such time as it is necessary, any right to burn granted The Fire Chief shall notify the public of the cancellation or suspension of the burn season by advertising in any local newspaper or on local radio such cancellation Typically, BCWS open fire prohibition and equipment/activity prohibition orders will specify that they do not apply within municipal boundaries, with certain exceptions. Many municipalities and local governments also post local prohibitions and restrictions specific to your community on their websites or social media pages.
Instead of burning	Yard waste goes in the green organics cart (collected weekly): leaves, grass clippings, cones, flowers and small branches up to 1 inch in diameter; no invasive species. Extra yard waste can go to the Resource Recovery Centre, 4924 Marine Avenue, Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (tipping fees apply).Municipal Solid Waste Collection Bylaw 2784, 2025, s. 2(n); Organics Collection, Have Extra Yard Waste? · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, cones, flowers, and small branches are acceptable however, invasive species or any branches/limbs larger than 1" in diameter are prohibited. Please take your extra yard waste to: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Tipping Fees Apply
Fine	Bylaw notice: $100 for burning without a permit, in a prohibited or non-designated period, or outside permitted hours; $150 too close to property lines or buildings; $200 for burning garbage or noxious material ($20 discount and surcharge on $100; $40 on $200). Municipal ticket: $200 for each of these offences.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, App. 2; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026, s. 7, Sch. A; Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022), Sch. 9 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording without a permit $100 $20 $20 $50 3(e)(v) Burning too close to property $150 $25 $25 $75 Burning of garbage or noxious $200 $40 $40 $100 3(e)(iv) Burning during a non- $100 $20 $20 $50 if Paid within 14 days of the bylaw notice being received the amount of the surcharge in Column A3 of Schedule "A" shall be due Burning without a permit 3(e) $ 200.00 Burning of garbage or noxious material 4 $ 200.00
Bylaw	Powell River Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 1931, 2001 (with Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1932, 2001)Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated), s. 1; Fire Prevention Bylaw 1932, 2001, s. 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Powell River Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw No. 1931, “Powell River Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 1932, 2001”.

How it works

Under the Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw, no one may start or maintain an open fire unless it is permitted garden-refuse burning or has a permit from the Fire Chief. The bylaw does not mention campfires or fire pits by name, and no recreational-fire rules were found. Charcoal fires in barbecues and hibachis for cooking are not "open burning".

Only dry garden refuse (leaves, foliage, prunings, weeds, crops or stubble) may be burned, only with a Residential Backyard Burning Permit, and only between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during April 1 to 30 and November 1 to 30.

Steps

Call the Fire Hall (Powell River Fire Rescue) at 604-485-4431 for a permit.
Burn on your property at least 4.6 m from all property lines and buildings, and at least 1.5 m from grass, shrubs, trees or wooden fences.
Have someone 16 or older watch the fire the whole time, with emergency equipment able to put it out in five minutes.
Burn only when the Ventilation Index is forecast "good".

Good to know

Never burn garbage or noxious material such as tires, plastics, demolition waste or treated lumber.
No permit fee was found. The bylaw points to a fee schedule that is missing from the City's copy, so ask the Fire Hall.
The Fire Chief sets burning ban periods and may withhold, cancel or suspend permits. The public is told through a local newspaper or local radio.
BC Wildfire Service bans usually do not apply inside municipal boundaries, which set their own. Check the City as well as the BC Wildfire Service page. No City web page on burn bans was found.
Yard waste can instead go in the green organics cart or to the Resource Recovery Centre.
A bylaw notice is $100 for burning without a permit, in a prohibited or non-designated period, or outside permitted hours; $150 for a fire too close to property lines or buildings; and $200 for burning garbage or noxious material. Discounts and surcharges vary: $20 on $100, $40 on $200. A municipal ticket is $200 for each of these offences.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Comox · Courtenay · Cumberland · Qualicum Beach · Campbell River · Parksville

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

Sources

Residential Backyard Burning Bylaw 1931, 2001 (consolidated) (read 2026-11-05)
Fire Prevention Bylaw 1932, 2001 (read 2026-11-05)
Contact Us, City of Powell River (read 2026-11-05)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw 2818, 2026 (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Ticketing Information Bylaw 2572, 2019 (consolidated January 2022) (read 2026-11-05)
Fire bans and restrictions, Government of BC (read 2026-11-05)
Municipal Solid Waste Collection Bylaw 2784, 2025 (read 2026-11-05)
Organics Collection, City of Powell River (read 2026-11-05)

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.