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Tumbler Ridge backyard fire and burning rules

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

Tumbler Ridge, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfiresYes. 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.Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 83; Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
Backyard campfires are are permitted within the community so long as they comply with the
Burning yard wasteOpen 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.Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 77, s. 87; Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025, Amendment item 26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
Clause 80 (a) is added to restrict open burning operations to days that have
permissible ventilation index rating.
PermitOpen 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.Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, ss. 77, 81, 88 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
Fire bansThe 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.Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019, s. 84; Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions, Wildfire Danger Rating & Current Prohibitions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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
More Information can be found on the BC Wildfire Situation Page.
Instead of burningYard trimmings must be taken to the Transfer Station (103 Ridge Road) unless composted on the property; they cannot go in the garbage cart.https://tumblerridge.civicweb.net/document/3529/, s. 5.2; Garbage and Recycling, Waste Transfer Station · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
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.
A waste transfer station located at 103 Ridge Road in Tumbler Ridge
FineMunicipal 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).Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated, Schedule 5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
Open burning without a permit
Burning when prohibited
Burning garbage or noxious material
Recreational fire in excess of 60 cm flame height
BylawFire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019 (amended by Bylaw No. 751, 2025).Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08
Official wording
BYLAW NO. 751, 2025
Bylaw No. 680, 2019

How it works

The District of Tumbler Ridge's Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680 (amended by Bylaw No. 751, 2025) 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).

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Chetwynd · Dawson Creek · Pouce Coupe · Hudson's Hope · Mackenzie · Fort St. John

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

Sources

  1. Fire Protection Bylaw No. 680, 2019 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
  2. Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 751, 2025 (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
  3. Wildfire Danger Rating and Current Prohibitions, District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
  4. Garbage and Recycling, District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
  5. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 560, 2011, consolidated (PDF), District of Tumbler Ridge (read 2026-11-08)
  6. 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. How answers are checked.