Silverton backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Silverton?
Short answer
Silverton has no posted fire or burning bylaw, so the Province's rules apply. A Category 1 campfire may be no larger than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m wide, and no permit is mentioned on the Province's page. Check for current bans before lighting any fire.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | No Village campfire bylaw found. Provincial Category 1 campfire: no larger than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m wide, recreational, not during a Category 1 campfire prohibition, with a fuel break and someone watching with a hand tool or 8 litres of water.Open burning, Province of British Columbia, Category 1 campfire · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingNo larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide Have at least one person watching the fire that is equipped with at least one firefighting hand tool or 8 litres of water Not light a fire during a category 1 campfire prohibition |
|---|---|
| Burning yard waste | No Village burning bylaw found. Provincial Category 2 open fire: material in one pile up to 2 m high by 3 m wide (or two such piles), or grass or stubble up to 0.2 ha. Not during a Category 2 prohibition; fuel break, watcher and Ventilation Index check needed.Open burning, Province of British Columbia, Category 2 open fire · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingMaterial in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width Material concurrently in 2 piles, each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width Not light a fire during a category 2 open fire prohibition check the Ventilation Index Interactive Map to view conditions in your area and see if burning is allowed |
| Permit | Not confirmed. The Province's page does not mention a permit for these fires. |
| Fire bans | The Province sets burning restrictions through BC Wildfire Service. Check its fire bans and restrictions page before lighting any fire.Fire Prevention, Regional District of Central Kootenay; Open burning, Province of British Columbia, Intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThe provincial government sets burning restrictions through BC WILDFIRE SERVICE. Before lighting a fire of any size, always check for any BC Wildfire Service open fire prohibitions in your area. |
| Instead of burning | No Village curbside yard-waste collection found. The RDCK accepts yard and garden waste at its landfills and transfer stations (quantities at transfer stations are restricted); tipping fees apply.Waste Disposal Services, Regional District of Central Kootenay, Controlled waste table · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingYard & Garden Waste | 21 | Landfills and Transfer Stations ONLY *Quantity accepted at transfer stations is restricted. |
| Fine | No Village ticket amount found. Provincially, anyone in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150.Open burning, Province of British Columbia, Offences and fines · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAnyone found in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150 |
| Bylaw | No Village fire or burning bylaw found. The Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation apply.Open burning, Province of British Columbia, Intro · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingEveryone in B.C. who lights and maintains an open fire is expected to understand and abide by the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation. |
How it works
Silverton posts no fire or burning bylaw, so the Wildfire Act and Wildfire Regulation apply. The Province tells people to check with their local government for bylaw restrictions, so call the Village Office at 250-358-2472 before burning.
Good to know
- Campfire (Category 1): no larger than 0.5 m high by 0.5 m wide, recreational, not during a Category 1 campfire prohibition, with a fuel break and someone watching with a hand tool or 8 litres of water.
- Open fire (Category 2): material in one pile up to 2 m high by 3 m wide (or two such piles), or grass or stubble up to 0.2 ha. Not during a Category 2 prohibition. It needs a fuel break, a watcher and a Ventilation Index check.
- The Province's page does not mention a permit for these fires, and no Village burning permit was found.
- Check the BC Wildfire Service page for current bans before lighting any fire.
- Anyone in contravention of an open fire prohibition may be issued a provincial ticket for $1,150. No Village ticket amount was found.
- The Village has no curbside yard-waste collection. The RDCK accepts yard and garden waste at its landfills and transfer stations (tipping fees apply).
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
New Denver · Kaslo · Nakusp · Nelson · Castlegar · Salmo
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Open burning, Province of British Columbia (read 2026-11-08)
- Fire Prevention, Regional District of Central Kootenay (read 2026-11-08)
- Waste Disposal Services, Regional District of Central Kootenay (read 2026-11-08)
- Memorial Hall, Village of Silverton (Village Office phone) (read 2026-11-08)
Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. How answers are checked.