Quesnel backyard fire and burning rules

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

Quesnel, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

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.Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.6; Volunteer Fire Department, Campfires in the City of Quesnel · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. 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
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.Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.1, 5.5; Backyard Campfires and Firepits, Handout · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. (NO yard debris, garbage etc.)
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.Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.5; Volunteer Fire Department, Campfires in the City of Quesnel · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording A person may apply for a Permit for an open air burning from the Fire Rescue Service There is no burning on City property without a permit.
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.Volunteer Fire Department, Quesnel fire bans and restrictions; Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 5.8(1), 5.6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording follows the lead of the Cariboo Fire Centre when implementing a fire bans throughout the City 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
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).Landfill, Recyclable materials; Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025), Schedule C2; Composting · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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. Clean Wood/Yard Waste No charge if unloaded into the bins provided. In partnership with Baker Creek Enhancement Society, the City is making it easier for you to compost!
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).Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021, s. 13.2, 5.9; Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025), Schedule D7 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 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 Illegal Open Burning $400 per hour (minimum one hour)
Bylaw	Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Amendment Bylaw No. 1946, 2023, Title of amended bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording The City of Quesnel Fire Protection, Prevention and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021

How it works

The Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902 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

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

The same question in other places

Wells · Williams Lake · Prince George · McBride · Vanderhoof · 100 Mile House

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

Sources

Volunteer Fire Department, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
Backyard Campfires and Firepits, City of Quesnel (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw No. 1902, 2021 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Fire Prevention, Protection and Emergency Services Amendment Bylaw No. 1946, 2023 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Comprehensive Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1683, Schedules C2 and D7 (consolidated December 2025) (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
Landfill, City of Quesnel (read 2026-11-05)
Composting, City of Quesnel (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.