Salmon Arm backyard fire and burning rules

Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?

Salmon Arm, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	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.Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), Part 4, s. 12 Camp Fires · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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.
Burning yard waste	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.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).Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), Part 4, s. 8 Incidental Open Burning, s. 7; Open Burning brochure, Salmon Arm Fire Department, Open Burning brochure, Incidental Open Burning · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Property must be .99 acre or more in size.
Permit	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.Burning Information and Permits, Acquiring a Burning Permit; Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), Part 4, s. 7(3), 7(14); Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B Appendix 5, Schedule B, Appendix 5, item 7 Burning Permit Fees; Open Burning brochure, Salmon Arm Fire Department, Open Burning brochure, page 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Burning permits are required for all residents within the City of Salmon Arm. 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. Burning Permit Fees Campfires $10.00 Incidental open burning $10.00 Agricultural open burning $10.00 Land clearing open burning $150.00 Arm Fire Department Administration Office at 250.803.4060, visit during business hours (9:00am – 1:30pm) or call the Salmon Arm
Fire bans	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.Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), Part 4, s. 7(5), 7(12), 7(13), 7(15); Fire bans and restrictions, Province of BC, Current prohibitions and restrictions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. Even if there are no provincial open fire prohibitions in place, always check with local government authorities for any other open fire restrictions.
Instead of burning	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.Curbside Collection; Curbside Collection Program Guide 2026, Curbside Yard Waste Collection 2026; Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), Part 4, s. 7(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Yard waste: Collected monthly from April to November Yard waste (including Christmas trees) is also accepted at the Salmon Arm Landfill year-round (yard waste composting area). Every reasonable alternative for reducing, reusing or recycling material to be burned shall be pursued to minimize the amount of material to be burned.
Fine	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).Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 7, Schedule 7 (Fire bylaw) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Bylaw	City of Salmon Arm Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022), s. 17 Citation · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording City of Salmon Arm Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792

How it works

Burning permits are required for all residents of Salmon Arm. The Fire Chief issues them under the 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.

Steps

Decide the type of fire. Campfire permit: annual, $10. Incidental open burning permit: $10, for dry yard and garden waste from your property.
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.
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.
Each incidental permit is for up to 3 calendar days, one fire per permit, with a 4-day smoke-free period between permits.

Good to know

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.
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.
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.
Campfires and open flames are banned in City parks, but propane cooking devices are allowed.
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 page and ask the City before you light a fire.
Agricultural, land clearing and special open burning have separate permits and rules. Land clearing is $150.
A permit can be revoked for nuisance smoke. Outside city limits, permits come from the Ministry of Forests (1-888-797-1717).
Municipal tickets under Bylaw 2760: $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.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

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

Sources

Burning Information and Permits, City of Salmon Arm (read 2026-11-05)
Open Burning brochure (PDF), Salmon Arm Fire Department (read 2026-11-05)
Fire Prevention and Fire Department Bylaw No. 3792 (PDF, consolidated June 27, 2022) (read 2026-11-05)
Fee for Services Bylaw No. 2498 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule B Appendix 5 (read 2026-11-05)
Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 2760 (consolidated, PDF), Schedule 7 (read 2026-11-05)
Fire bans and restrictions, Province of BC (read 2026-11-05)
Curbside Collection, City of Salmon Arm (read 2026-11-05)
Curbside Collection Program Guide 2026 (read 2026-11-05)

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