{"title":"Salmon Arm backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/salmon-arm","name":"Salmon Arm","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":"City of Salmon Arm","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca"},"short_answer":"In the City of Salmon Arm, you need a burning permit from the Fire Department. A campfire needs an annual campfire permit; burning yard and garden waste needs an incidental open burning permit and is allowed only March 15 to April 15 and October 1 to 31. Both permits cost $10.","aliases":["burning permit salmon arm","fire pit rules salmon arm","open burning salmon arm","burn yard waste salmon arm"],"cost":"Burning permits: campfire $10 (annual), incidental open burning $10, agricultural open burning $10, land clearing open burning $150. Municipal ticket $100 for incidental burning without a permit.","how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Salmon Arm Fire Department administration (burning permits)","value":"250-803-4060","note":"9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Outside city limits, Ministry of Forests","value":"1-888-797-1717"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Burning Information and Permits","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/155/Burning-Information-and-Permits"},{"title":"Open Burning brochure (PDF)","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/237"},{"title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF)","url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Salmon Arm fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Salmon Arm yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/yard-waste/"}],"nearby":[],"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":"Allowed with an annual campfire permit. The fire must be in a permanent fixture of rock, concrete block, ceramic clay or metal, no wider than 77 cm (30 inches) and 21 to 61 cm high, on a non-combustible base. Burn only clean, dry, seasoned firewood, keep it 5 m from property lines and structures, and have it out by 11 p.m.","short":"Yes, with an annual campfire permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"Part 4, s. 12 Camp Fires","quotes":["No campfires shall be conducted without a permit being issued.","Camp fires must be contained in a permanent fixture designed, installed and maintained to prevent fire from spreading.","no greater than 77 centimeters (30 inches) in diameter and between 21 and 61 centimeters in height","Material which may be burned is limited to clean dry seasoned fire wood only.","Fire must be completed extinguished by 11:00 p.m.","Camp fires must be located not less than five (5) meters from property line, standing timber, brush and structures.","Permits under this section are issued on an annual basis for calendar year."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Only with an incidental open burning permit: dry yard and garden waste from the property, March 15 to April 15 and October 1 to 31; no grass or leaves; pile up to 1 m3, 5 m from property lines and buildings; out by 9 p.m. Bylaw bars lots under 0.4 ha in Residential Development Areas A, B, C; the brochure says the lot must be 0.99 acre or more.","short":"Only with a permit, Mar 15 to Apr 15 and Oct 1 to 31","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"Part 4, s. 8 Incidental Open Burning, s. 7","quotes":["No incidental open burning shall be conducted without a permit being issued.","Permits for incidental open burning of dry yard and garden refuse may only be obtained from March 15 to April 15 and from October 01 to October 31 in any year.","Grass and leaves are not permitted.","All fires permitted in this section shall be totally extinguished prior to 9:00 p.m.","No incidental burning shall be allowed on property under .4 hectares [.99 acres] in size within Residential Development Areas A, B. and C as defined in the City of Salmon Arm Official Community Plan.","The pile size will not exceed one (1) meters cubed (1M3).","All materials permitted to be burned shall originate from the land on which the burning will take place"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/237","title":"Open Burning brochure (PDF), Salmon Arm Fire Department","section":"Open Burning brochure, Incidental Open Burning","quotes":["Property must be .99 acre or more in size."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Each incidental permit is for up to 3 calendar days, one fire per permit, with a 4-day smoke-free period between permits (s. 8.4, 8.6, 8.10). Distance to property lines, standing timber, brush or structures is not less than 5 m (s. 8.8). Agricultural (ALR with farm status), land clearing and special open burning have separate permits, rules and a June 15 to September 15 ban on new permits. Every reasonable alternative to burning must be pursued first (s. 7.1)."},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes. Burning permits are required for all residents of the City. The Fire Chief issues them. Call the Fire Department Administration Office at 250.803.4060 (9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Fees: campfire $10 (annual), incidental open burning $10, agricultural open burning $10, land clearing open burning $150.","short":"Yes, campfire $10 (annual)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/155/Burning-Information-and-Permits","title":"Burning Information and Permits, City of Salmon Arm","section":"Acquiring a Burning Permit","quotes":["Burning permits are required for all residents within the City of Salmon Arm."]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"Part 4, s. 7(3), 7(14)","quotes":["The Fire Chief may issue open burning permits subject to terms and conditions of this Bylaw.","Open burning permit fees shall be as determined by bylaw of the City of Salmon Arm establishing and setting rates, fees and charges."]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040/Fee-for-Service-2498-Consolidated","title":"Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B Appendix 5","section":"Schedule B, Appendix 5, item 7 Burning Permit Fees","quotes":["Burning Permit Fees Campfires $10.00","Incidental open burning $10.00","Agricultural open burning $10.00","Land clearing open burning $150.00"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/237","title":"Open Burning brochure (PDF), Salmon Arm Fire Department","section":"Open Burning brochure, page 1","quotes":["Arm Fire Department Administration Office","at 250.803.4060, visit during business hours","(9:00am – 1:30pm) or call the Salmon Arm"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief may ban any or all categories of burning if local conditions are a fire hazard, if BC Wildfire issues a ban for the Salmon Arm area of the Kamloops Fire Centre, for a public health risk, or in an emergency. No new permits June 15 to September 15, except campfire and special-event or agency permits. Check the Province's Fire Prohibitions and Restrictions page (Kamloops Fire Centre) and with the City.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"Part 4, s. 7(5), 7(12), 7(13), 7(15)","quotes":["The Fire Chief may ban any or all categories of the open burning bylaw under the following circumstances:","if B.C.Wildfire issues a fire ban within the Salmon Arm area of the Kamloops Fire Centre, when a public health risk exists","No open burning permits will be issued from June 15 to September 15 of any year","Open burning permits may be issued at any time for campfires and may be valid for a maximum of one year."]},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire bans and restrictions, Province of BC","section":"Current prohibitions and restrictions","quotes":["Even if there are no provincial open fire prohibitions in place, always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Curbside yard waste collection monthly from April to November, in paper yard waste bags. Yard waste is also accepted year-round at the Salmon Arm Landfill yard waste composting area.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/369/Curbside-Collection","title":"Curbside Collection, City of Salmon Arm","section":"Curbside Collection","quotes":["Yard waste: Collected monthly from April to November"]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/6932/2026-Program-Guide","title":"Curbside Collection Program Guide 2026","section":"Curbside Yard Waste Collection 2026","quotes":["Yard waste (including Christmas trees) is also accepted at the Salmon Arm Landfill year-round (yard waste composting area)."]},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"Part 4, s. 7(1)","quotes":["Every reasonable alternative for reducing, reusing or recycling material to be burned shall be pursued to minimize the amount of material to be burned."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal ticket (Fire bylaw schedule): $100 for incidental open burning without a permit, burning unauthorized material, burning after 9 p.m., or a fire over 1 m³. $150 for a fire in the open air without authority (s. 7.2) or on City property (s. 7.9).","short":"Ticket $100","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/222/2760-Bylaw---Ticket-Information-Utilization","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 7","section":"Schedule 7 (Fire bylaw)","quotes":["Open burning without permit 8.1 100.00","Burn unauthorized material 8.3 100.00","Open burning after 9:00 p.m. 8.5 100.00","Fire exceeds one cubic metre 8.6 100.00","Fire in open area 7.2 150.00","Start fire on City property 7.9 150.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"City of Salmon Arm Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","section":"s. 17 Citation","quotes":["City of Salmon Arm Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":7,"stated":7,"matched":7,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nBurning permits are required for all residents of Salmon Arm. The Fire Chief issues them under the [Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792](<https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792>). Call the Fire Department Administration Office at 250-803-4060 (9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). The Burning Information and Permits page names the Open Burning brochure but does not give an application link.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Decide the type of fire. Campfire permit: annual, $10. Incidental open burning permit: $10, for dry yard and garden waste from your property.\n2. For a campfire, use a permanent fixture of rock, concrete block, ceramic clay or metal, no wider than 77 cm (30 inches) and 21 to 61 cm high, on a non-combustible base. Burn only clean, dry, seasoned firewood, keep it 5 m from property lines and structures, and have it out by 11 p.m.\n3. For yard waste, burn only March 15 to April 15 and October 1 to 31. No grass or leaves. Pile up to 1 m3, 5 m from property lines and buildings, out by 9 p.m.\n4. Each incidental permit is for up to 3 calendar days, one fire per permit, with a 4-day smoke-free period between permits.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Lot size for yard-waste burning: the bylaw bars lots under 0.4 ha in Residential Development Areas A, B and C. The Fire Department's brochure says the lot must be 0.99 acre or more. Confirm with the Fire Department.\n- The bylaw also requires every reasonable alternative to burning to be pursued first. Curbside yard waste collection runs monthly April to November, and yard waste is accepted year-round at the Salmon Arm Landfill.\n- Portable outdoor fireplaces and chimineas with spark arrestors need set clearances above, to the sides, front and rear (Bylaw 3792, s. 12.8), a non-combustible surface, and no placement under trees or overhangs. If the property has a strata or property manager, written authorization is needed.\n- Campfires and open flames are banned in City parks, but propane cooking devices are allowed.\n- The Fire Chief may ban any or all burning if conditions are hazardous, if BC Wildfire issues a ban for the Salmon Arm area, for a public health risk, or in an emergency. No new permits are issued June 15 to September 15, except campfire and special-event or agency permits. Bans change, so check the Province's [Fire bans and restrictions](<https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions>) page and ask the City before you light a fire.\n- Agricultural, land clearing and special open burning have separate permits and rules. Land clearing is $150.\n- A permit can be revoked for nuisance smoke. Outside city limits, permits come from the Ministry of Forests (1-888-797-1717).\n- Municipal tickets under [Bylaw 2760](<https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/222/2760-Bylaw---Ticket-Information-Utilization>): $100 for incidental open burning without a permit, burning unauthorized material, burning after 9 p.m., or a fire over 1 m3; $150 for a fire in the open air without authority or on City property. A fire in a park outside designated areas is $1,000.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/155/Burning-Information-and-Permits","title":"Burning Information and Permits, City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/237","title":"Open Burning brochure (PDF), Salmon Arm Fire Department","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/144/Fire-Prevention-and-Fire-Department-Bylaw-No-3792","title":"Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/2040/Fee-for-Service-2498-Consolidated","title":"Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B Appendix 5","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/222/2760-Bylaw---Ticket-Information-Utilization","title":"Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 7","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/prevention/fire-bans-and-restrictions","title":"Fire bans and restrictions, Province of BC","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/369/Curbside-Collection","title":"Curbside Collection, City of Salmon Arm","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.salmonarm.ca/DocumentCenter/View/6932/2026-Program-Guide","title":"Curbside Collection Program Guide 2026","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","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/salmon-arm/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmon-arm/backyard-fire.json"}}