{"title":"Spallumcheen backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Spallumcheen?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/spallumcheen","name":"Spallumcheen","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":"Township of Spallumcheen","url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca"},"short_answer":"In the Township of Spallumcheen, residents may burn untreated wood and prunings without a permit from November 1 to April 30 unless a ban is on, but never in R.1 or R.5 zones. Campfires: the bylaw bars them on R.1 and R.5 lots, while the Township's page says allowed in all zones. Confirm before lighting.","aliases":["open burning spallumcheen","campfire spallumcheen","burn permit spallumcheen","fire ban spallumcheen"],"cost":"No charge for a fire permit (Township fees schedule).","how_long":"Apply at least five business days before a land-clearing burn.","where":[{"type":"in_person","label":"Township Municipal Office (Open Burning Application/Permit)","value":"4144 Spallumcheen Way, Spallumcheen, BC V4Y 0N1","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."},{"type":"phone","label":"Venting index (Environment Canada)","value":"1-888-281-2992"},{"type":"phone","label":"Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department (non-emergency)","value":"250-546-6708"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (PDF)","url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/"},{"title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm"}],"related":[{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Spallumcheen yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Spallumcheen fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/fireworks/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Spallumcheen bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/armstrong","name":"Armstrong","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/enderby","name":"Enderby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/enderby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/vernon","name":"Vernon","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/coldstream","name":"Coldstream","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lumby","name":"Lumby","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lake-country","name":"Lake Country","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire/"}],"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 in all zones unless a campfire ban is in effect: no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide, in a non-combustible base with edging, for cooking, recreation or ceremony, dry untreated wood only. Venting index must be at least 'good'; a competent person 18 or older must supervise until it is out, with tools on hand, and the fire kept away from property lines, timber, brush and structures.","short":"Yes, up to 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"s. 4.2(a)","quotes":["is no larger than 0.5 meters in height and 0.5 meters in width;","is contained in a non-combustible base with edging;","burns dry untreated wood only;","present and supervises the campfire at all times while it is burning or","is not ignited or burned while a Campfire ban is in effect"]},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm","title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Open Burning page","quotes":["Campfires are permitted in all land use zones of Spallumcheen provided there isn’t a campfire ban issued in our area"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"The Fire Prevention Bylaw defines open burning to include campfires and bars open burning at any time on R.1 and R.5 lots (s. 4.1(a)(i)(a)); the Township's page says campfires are allowed in all zones. Confirm with the Township."},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Residents, farmers and orchardists may burn untreated wood, prunings, branches, trunks and stumps without a permit from November 1 to April 30, unless a ban is on. Grass clippings, leaves, needles, garden waste and weeds may not be burned. Never in R.1 or R.5 zones. Keep 5 m from property lines, timber, brush and structures; venting index at least 'good'.","short":"Untreated wood only, no permit, Nov 1 to Apr 30","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"s. 4.1(a)","quotes":["shall be allowed without a Permit from November 1 each year to","April 30 of the following year unless an open burning fire ban has been","of Spallumcheen Zoning Bylaw, as amended from time to time, shall not","be permitted to open burn at any time","not less than 5 metres from property lines","untreated wood, prunings, branches, tree trunks, tree stumps; and","that are naturally biodegradable, including grass clippings, leaves, tree needles, garden waste","“Prohibited Materials” means materials that must not be subject to Open Burning which include"]},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm","title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Open Burning page","quotes":["open burning is explicitly PROHIBITED in the Residential R1 and R5 Zones","R1 Zone includes McLeod Subdivision and Udy Subdivision."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"No permit for burning vegetation from November 1 to April 30. A permit from the Fire Chief is required to burn on land being cleared. Apply at the Township office at least five business days before the burn. The fee schedule shows 'Fire Permit' at no charge.","short":"No for November 1 to April 30; no charge","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"s. 4.1(a)(i), (viii)(d)","quotes":["shall be allowed without a Permit from November 1 each year to","land being cleared or partially cleared of Vegetation including wood,","trees, stumps, shrubbery or woody debris without a valid Permit issued"]},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm","title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Open Burning page","quotes":["a minimum of five business days prior to the scheduled open burn"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/83323/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw (fire permit line) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Appendix 7","quotes":["a Solid fuel appliance Permit $ 30.00 $ 30.00 b Fire Permit No charge No charge For further details, please reference the current Township of Spallumcheen Fire Prevention Bylaw."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief can issue an open burning or campfire ban; no burning or campfires while one is in effect. Before burning, check the Environment Canada venting index (Township page gives 1-888-281-2992).","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"s. 4.2(a)(x); s. 4.1(a)(i)","quotes":["is not ignited or burned while a Campfire ban is in effect as stipulated by the","unless an open burning fire ban has been"]},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm","title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Open Burning page","quotes":["call 1-888-281-2992 to determine if the venting index is adequate for burning"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Residential yard and garden waste can be taken to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, 3367 Powerhouse Road; the RDNO fee list shows residential yard and garden waste at $0. The Township does not provide curbside garbage collection.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/armstrongspallumcheen-ddf","title":"Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"RDNO facility page","quotes":["Yard & Garden Waste at the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station is currently restricted","Address: 3367 Powerhouse Road, 1km North of Armstrong on Highway 97"]},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees","title":"Diversion &amp; Disposal Fees | Regional District of North Okanagan","section":"RDNO fee list","quotes":["Yard and Garden Waste - Residential","$0.00"]},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/garbage-recycling.htm","title":"Garbage and Recycling, Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Garbage and Recycling page","quotes":["Residential garbage collection is not provided by the Township of Spallumcheen."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Municipal tickets: burning prohibited materials (burn barrel, garbage, land clearing without a permit) $550 ($500 if paid within 14 days), $1,000 ($950) second offence; open burning outside the allowed dates $1,000 ($950); burning in R.1/R.5, or breaking a campfire ban $500 ($250); fire out of control $1,000 ($950); campfire rules $250 ($200).","short":"Ticket $550 ($500 if paid in 14 days)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/85861/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021 (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"Schedule B.5","quotes":["Lighting a fire when Prohibited $500.00 $250.00","Open Burning outside of the required dates $1,000.00 $950.00","Failure to comply when a Campfire Ban is","Open Burning when Prohibited (R.1 & R.5","Failure to comply with Campfire $250.00 $200.00","Not following the venting index $75.00 $50.00","Prohibited Burning & Materials:","Open Burning outside of the required dates"]},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/85861/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021 (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"s. 4(a)","quotes":["If received by the Township within 14 days of the person receiving or"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Township of Spallumcheen Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","section":"footer","quotes":["Township of Spallumcheen Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021"]}],"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\nThe [Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049](<https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/>) covers open burning and campfires in the Township. The Fire Chief can issue an open burning or campfire ban, and no burning or campfires are allowed while one is in effect. To find out whether a ban is on now, ask the Township office or the Fire Department.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Check the Environment Canada venting index (1-888-281-2992). It must be at least \"good\".\n2. From November 1 to April 30, residents, farmers and orchardists may burn untreated wood, prunings, branches, trunks and stumps without a permit, unless a ban is on. Keep 5 m from property lines, timber, brush and structures.\n3. To burn on land being cleared, get a permit from the Fire Chief. Apply at the Township office at least five business days before the burn.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Not allowed: grass clippings, leaves, needles, garden waste and weeds; burn barrels; household garbage. Open burning is never allowed in R.1 or R.5 zones.\n- Campfires: no bigger than 0.5 m high and 0.5 m wide, in a non-combustible base with edging, for cooking, recreation or ceremony, dry untreated wood only. A competent person 18 or older must supervise until it is out, with tools on hand. The Township's page says campfires are allowed in all zones, but the bylaw bars them on R.1 and R.5 lots. Confirm with the Township.\n- Residential yard and garden waste can go to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, 3367 Powerhouse Road, at $0. The Township does not provide curbside garbage collection.\n- Tickets: burning prohibited materials $550 ($500 if paid within 14 days), $1,000 ($950) second offence; open burning outside the allowed dates $1,000 ($950); burning in R.1/R.5 or breaking a campfire ban $500 ($250); fire out of control $1,000 ($950); campfire rules $250 ($200).\n- Fire department call costs may also be charged.","sources":[{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/74141/","title":"Fire Prevention Bylaw No. 2049, 2021 (consolidated with Bylaw 2153) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/openburning.htm","title":"Open Burning, Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/83323/","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw (fire permit line) (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://spallumcheen.civicweb.net/document/85861/","title":"Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2023, 2021 (PDF), Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/rdno-services/solid-waste-management/diversion-disposal-facilities/armstrongspallumcheen-ddf","title":"Armstrong/Spallumcheen Transfer Station, Regional District of North Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.spallumcheentwp.bc.ca/services/garbage-recycling.htm","title":"Garbage and Recycling, Township of Spallumcheen","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.rdno.ca/wastefees","title":"Diversion &amp; Disposal Fees | Regional District of North Okanagan","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/spallumcheen/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/backyard-fire.json"}}