---
title: Tumbler Ridge backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Tumbler Ridge?"
place: Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/tumbler-ridge
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Tumbler Ridge
sources_read: 2026-11-08
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire.json"
---

# Tumbler Ridge backyard fire and burning rules

**Question:** Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Tumbler Ridge?

**Short answer:** In Tumbler Ridge, recreational campfires are allowed in a fire pit, fireplace or barbecue without a permit if you follow the Fire Protection Bylaw. Burning yard waste needs a written permit from the Fire Chief. A ticket is $100. Check for current fire bans first.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Tumbler Ridge, https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca)  
**Cost:** No fee for a recreational fire. No burning permit fee found in the Fees and Charges Bylaw. Ticket: $100.  
**How long:** Not applicable.  
**Where:**
- In person: Fire Hall (open burning permit), 325 Iles Way, Tumbler Ridge, BC (Bylaw Enforcement is based at the Fire Hall)
- Phone: Bylaw Enforcement Officer, 250-242-3939 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes. Recreational fires are allowed in a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit (or a portable manufactured fire pit meeting the same rules): on private property (or public property where authorized), no larger than 1 m across, 3 m from buildings and combustibles and clear of overhanging trees, dug down to mineral soil, ringed by a non-combustible barrier, always attended by an adult, with a shovel, hose or 8 litres of water nearby, material piled no higher than 60 cm.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 83](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/)
  - Official wording: "Recreational Fires are permitted in a permanent outdoor fire place, barbecue or fire" … "Not be larger than 1 metre in diameter;" … "Be three (3) metres from combustible materials and, or Buildings" … "Be continually attended by an adult until completely extinguished;" … "Not have material piled in excess of 60 cm in height."
  - Source: [Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/wildfire-danger-rating-current-prohibitions)
  - Official wording: "Backyard campfires are are permitted within the community so long as they comply with the"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Burning yard waste:** Open burning (yard and garden waste, land clearing debris) is not allowed except under a written permit from the Fire Chief. Garbage or noxious material may never be burned. The 2025 amendment limits open burning operations to days with a permissible ventilation index rating.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 77, s. 87](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/)
  - Official wording: "No Person shall start or maintain, or permit or cause to be started or maintained any" … "Open Burning in the District except under special circumstances granted by permit in" … "No Person shall cause or allow any Garbage or Noxious Material to be burned by"
  - Source: [Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025, Amendment item 26](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66331/)
  - Official wording: "Clause 80 (a) is added to restrict open burning operations to days that have" … "permissible ventilation index rating."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Permit:** Open burning needs a written permit from the Fire Chief, applied for at the Fire Hall. No permit is needed for a recreational fire in an approved area and receptacle.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, ss. 77, 81, 88](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/)
  - Official wording: "Applications for permits under section 77 shall be made at the Fire Hall." … "A Recreational Fire in an approved area and receptacle used for heating or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fire bans:** The Fire Chief may publish or broadcast a notice designating areas unsafe for open-air fires; while it is in effect no fire, including a recreational fire, may be started. The District's Wildfire Danger Rating & Current Prohibitions page and the BC Wildfire Situation page show current status.
  - Source: [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 84](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/)
  - Official wording: "The Fire Chief may, by notice published or broadcast or both, designate areas that he" … "considers unsafe for open air fires" … "no Person shall, within any area so designated, start or maintain, or permit or cause to"
  - Source: [Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions, Wildfire Danger Rating & Current Prohibitions](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/wildfire-danger-rating-current-prohibitions)
  - Official wording: "More Information can be found on the BC Wildfire Situation Page."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Instead of burning:** Yard trimmings must be taken to the Transfer Station (103 Ridge Road) unless composted on the property; they cannot go in the garbage cart.
  - Source: [https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3529/, s. 5.2](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3529/)
  - Official wording: "Every Owner or Occupant of a Property shall collect all Yard Trimmings" … "generated on that Property and dispose of those Yard Trimmings at the Transfer Station," … "unless such Yard Trimmings are composted on that Property."
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Waste Transfer Station](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/-garbage-pick-up-recycling)
  - Official wording: "A waste transfer station located at 103 Ridge Road in Tumbler Ridge"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Fine:** Municipal ticket: $100 for open burning without a permit or against permit conditions, burning when prohibited, burning garbage or noxious material, and each recreational fire rule breach (barrier, 3 m clearance, unattended, no extinguishing means, flames over 60 cm).
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated, Schedule 5](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/)
  - Official wording: "Open burning without a permit" … "Burning when prohibited" … "Burning garbage or noxious material" … "Recreational fire in excess of 60 cm flame height"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
- **Bylaw:** Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019 (amended by Bylaw No. 751, 2025).
  - Source: [Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025, Title](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66331/)
  - Official wording: "BYLAW NO. 751, 2025" … "Bylaw No. 680, 2019"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08

## How it works

The District of Tumbler Ridge's [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680](<https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/>) (amended by [Bylaw No. 751, 2025](<https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66331/>)) allows a recreational fire without a permit in an approved area and receptacle. Open burning needs a written permit.

## Recreational fire rules

- Use a permanent outdoor fireplace, barbecue or fire pit, or a portable manufactured fire pit, on private property (or public property where authorized).
- No larger than 1 m across, 3 m from buildings and combustibles, and clear of overhanging trees.
- Dug down to mineral soil and ringed by a non-combustible barrier.
- Always attended by an adult, with a shovel, hose or 8 litres of water nearby.
- Material piled no higher than 60 cm.

## Good to know

- **Open burning** (yard waste, land clearing) is not allowed without a written permit from the Fire Chief, applied for at the Fire Hall. Garbage or noxious material may never be burned. The 2025 amendment limits open burning to days with a permissible ventilation index rating.
- **Fire bans:** the Fire Chief may designate areas unsafe for open-air fires. While a notice is in effect, no fire, including a recreational fire, may be started. Check the District's Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions page and the BC Wildfire Situation page.
- Yard trimmings must go to the Transfer Station (103 Ridge Road) unless composted at home.
- A municipal ticket is $100 for burning without a permit, burning when prohibited, burning garbage, or breaking a recreational fire rule ([Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560](<https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/>)).

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/)
- [Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66331/)
- [Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/wildfire-danger-rating-current-prohibitions)
- [Garbage and Recycling, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/-garbage-pick-up-recycling)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/)

## Related questions

- [Tumbler Ridge yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/yard-waste.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/fireworks.md)
- [Tumbler Ridge bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Chetwynd](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chetwynd/backyard-fire.md)
- [Dawson Creek](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/dawson-creek/backyard-fire.md)
- [Pouce Coupe](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pouce-coupe/backyard-fire.md)
- [Hudson's Hope](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/hudsons-hope/backyard-fire.md)
- [Mackenzie](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mackenzie/backyard-fire.md)
- [Fort St. John](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fort-st-john/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66334/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/66331/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/wildfire-danger-rating-current-prohibitions) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Garbage and Recycling, District of Tumbler Ridge](https://www.districtoftumblerridge.ca/p/-garbage-pick-up-recycling) (read 2026-11-08)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/28324/) (read 2026-11-08)
- [https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3529/](https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3529/) (read 2026-11-08)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Tumbler Ridge. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/tumbler-ridge/backyard-fire/_