---
title: Quesnel backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Quesnel?"
place: Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/quesnel
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Quesnel
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Quesnel backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Quesnel?

**Short answer:** In the City of Quesnel you may have a small campfire on your own property, no larger than 0.5 m by 0.5 m, with a firebreak, an attendant and 8 litres of water. Burning yard waste is not allowed without a Fire Chief permit. The City follows Cariboo Fire Centre fire bans.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Quesnel, https://www.quesnel.ca)  
**Cost:** No municipal ticket amount is set for burning offences; on conviction a court fine of $100 to $10,000. If Fire Rescue puts out an illegal open fire, the person responsible pays $400 an hour (minimum one hour). No permit fee is listed.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Hall No. 1, 250-992-5121 (310 Kinchant Street)
- Online: Cariboo Fire Centre bans and restrictions, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions/cariboo-fire-centre-bans

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Allowed on private property only (none on City property without a permit). Fire no larger than 0.5 m x 0.5 m, with a non-combustible firebreak of at least 1 m around it, at least 8 litres of water within 2 m, burning only charcoal briquettes or dry seasoned firewood, attended by a competent person at all times, and fully extinguished before leaving. Propane or natural gas fire pits are allowed on residential land if ULC/CSA approved and at least 2 m from combustibles; they may not be used during a fire ban.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.6](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)
  - Official wording: "Camp fires within City limits are only allowed on private property." … "must not be larger than 0.5 meters by 0.5 meters" … "a noncombustible firebreak of at least one meter surrounding the fire is" … "at least eight liters of water are located within 2 meters of the fire;" … "composed only of charcoal briquettes or dry seasoned" … "completely extinguished before the site is vacated." … "Appliance must be used a minimum distance of two meters from all combustibles;" … "cannot be use when either the Regional Fire Center or the Province has put a fire ban in place."
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department, Campfires in the City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/emergency-services/volunteer-fire-department)
  - Official wording: "MUST be on your property. There is no burning on City property without a permit." … "MUST have 8 litres of water within 2 meters of fire"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Not allowed. Open-air burning of any kind is prohibited except campfires that meet the rules above or burning under a Fire Chief permit; the bylaw describes permits for wild land/interface fire control and approved ceremonies. Campfire fuel may not include yard debris.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.1, 5.5](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)
  - Official wording: "A person must not light, ignite, start, or burn any fire in the open air" … "The Fire Chief or his designate may issue a permit for an open burning for the purposes of wild land/interface fire control."
  - Source: [Backyard Campfires and Firepits, Handout](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/backyard-fires)
  - Official wording: "(NO yard debris, garbage etc.)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** No permit is stated for a compliant campfire on private property. Any other open burning needs a permit from the Fire Chief (Fire Rescue Service), on an application form. No permit fee is listed.
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.5](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)
  - Official wording: "A person may apply for a Permit for an open air burning from the Fire Rescue Service"
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department, Campfires in the City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/emergency-services/volunteer-fire-department)
  - Official wording: "There is no burning on City property without a permit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** The City follows the Cariboo Fire Centre for fire bans (check the BC Cariboo Fire Centre bans page). The Fire Chief may also order a total burning ban in writing. Gas fire pits may not be used during a Regional Fire Centre or Provincial ban. In a restrictions period the bylaw permits only propane, natural gas or charcoal cooking devices.
  - Source: [Volunteer Fire Department, Quesnel fire bans and restrictions](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/emergency-services/volunteer-fire-department)
  - Official wording: "follows the lead of the Cariboo Fire Centre when implementing a fire bans throughout the City"
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.8(1), 5.6](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)
  - Official wording: "a total ban on burning may be issued by written order of the Fire Chief or his designate." … "cannot be use when either the Regional Fire Center or the Province has put a fire ban in place." … "The following open air fires are permitted during restrictions period:" … "a) Outdoor cooking devices using propane, natural gas or charcoal for the grilling or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Take wood and yard waste (branches, limbs, grass, leaves) to the three green bins in the landfill diversion area at the end of Carson Pit Road; no charge if unloaded into the bins. Or compost at home (the City has a composting guide).
  - Source: [Landfill, Recyclable materials](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/garbage/landfill)
  - Official wording: "Wood and Yard Waste - including lumber, pallets, branches, limbs, grass, and leaves: Please use the three green bins in the landfill diversion area at the end of Carson Pit Road."
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025), Schedule C2](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/master-fee-bylaw-january-1-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "Clean Wood/Yard Waste No charge if unloaded into the bins provided."
  - Source: [Composting](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/recycling/composting)
  - Official wording: "In partnership with Baker Creek Enhancement Society, the City is making it easier for you to compost!"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** No municipal ticket amount is set for burning offences (Bylaw 1902 is not in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw). On conviction: $100 to $10,000. If Fire Rescue attends and puts out an illegal open fire, the owner or person responsible pays $400 an hour (minimum one hour).
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 13.2, 5.9](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)
  - Official wording: "liable to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $10,000.00" … "If the Fire Rescue Service attends and extinguishes an open fire where the requirements"
  - Source: [Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025), Schedule D7](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/master-fee-bylaw-january-1-2026pdf)
  - Official wording: "Illegal Open Burning $400 per hour (minimum one hour)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021
  - Source: [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Amendment Bylaw No. 1946, 2023, Title of amended bylaw](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/147232/)
  - Official wording: "The City of Quesnel Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984) prohibits open-air burning of any kind, except campfires that meet the rules below or burning under a permit from the Fire Chief. The bylaw describes permits for wild land or interface fire control and approved ceremonies. There is no burning on City property without a permit.

## Campfire rules

1. Keep the fire on your own property and no larger than 0.5 m x 0.5 m.
2. Surround it with a non-combustible firebreak of at least 1 m.
3. Keep a competent person with it at all times, and at least 8 litres of water within 2 m.
4. Burn only charcoal briquettes or dry seasoned firewood; no yard debris.
5. Put it fully out before leaving.

## Good to know

- Propane or natural gas fire pits are allowed on residential land if ULC/CSA approved and at least 2 m from combustibles. They may not be used during a fire ban.
- The City follows the Cariboo Fire Centre for fire bans (check its bans page). The Fire Chief may also order a total burning ban in writing. In a "restrictions period" the bylaw permits only propane, natural gas or charcoal cooking devices.
- Burning brush or yard waste piles has no category in the bylaw. Any other open burning needs a permit from the Fire Chief on an application form; no fee is listed. Call Fire Hall No. 1 at 250-992-5121.
- Instead of burning, take wood and yard waste (branches, limbs, grass, leaves) to the three green bins in the landfill diversion area at the end of Carson Pit Road; there is no charge if you unload into the bins. Or compost at home.
- Penalties: a court fine of $100 to $10,000 on conviction. If Fire Rescue puts out an illegal open fire, the owner or person responsible pays $400 an hour (minimum one hour).

## Official forms and pages

- [Backyard Campfires and Firepits (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/backyard-fires)
- [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw 1902, 2021 (PDF)](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984)

## Related questions

- [Quesnel fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/fireworks.md)
- [Quesnel yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Wells](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/wells/backyard-fire.md)
- [Williams Lake](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/williams-lake/backyard-fire.md)
- [Prince George](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/prince-george/backyard-fire.md)
- [McBride](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mcbride/backyard-fire.md)
- [Vanderhoof](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vanderhoof/backyard-fire.md)
- [100 Mile House](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/100-mile-house/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Volunteer Fire Department, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/emergency-services/volunteer-fire-department) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Backyard Campfires and Firepits, City of Quesnel (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/backyard-fires) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021 (PDF)](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/131984) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Amendment Bylaw No. 1946, 2023 (PDF)](https://quesnel.civicweb.net/document/147232/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025) (PDF)](https://www.quesnel.ca/media/file/master-fee-bylaw-january-1-2026pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Landfill, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/garbage/landfill) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Composting, City of Quesnel](https://www.quesnel.ca/municipal-services/recycling/composting) (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. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Quesnel. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/quesnel/backyard-fire/_