Vanderhoof backyard fire and burning rules
Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Vanderhoof?
Short answer
In Vanderhoof, a campfire no larger than 30 inches across and small cooking fires on barbecues need no permit. Other open burning, such as garden waste, needs a permit from the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief or Public Works Superintendent. Fire bans are set by the BC Wildfire Service.
Key facts
| Backyard campfires | Yes. No permit is needed for a campfire (a small open-air burn no larger than 30 inches in diameter) or for small, confined cooking fires on barbecues and grills. All burning is subject to the venting index, and offensive odours and excessive smoke are not permitted.Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, s. 1 Definitions; s. 2.01, 2.03, 2.09 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmeans a small, open air burn no larger than 30” in diameter A permit is not required for a campfire and for small, confined fires used for cooking food on barbecues and grills. Offensive odors and excessive smoke emitting from an open burn are not permitted. |
|---|---|
| Burning yard waste | Only with a permit. An authorized person may permit burning of garden and lawn waste and household paper waste, debris and construction waste, or clean untreated lumber. Never burn rubbish, paint, tires, oil, tar, asphalt shingles, plastic or similar. A competent person must stay in charge with a charged hose and nozzle.Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, s. 2.02, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingno person shall carry on or permit to be carried on open air burning without first obtaining a permit from an authorized person. for the burning of flammable garden and lawn waste and household waste must not burn any rubbish, paint, tires, oil, tar or petroleum product, asphalt shingles, batter boxes, plastic material, biomedical waste or any similar materials. a competent person is at all times in charge of the fire |
| Permit | A permit is required for open-air burning other than a campfire or barbecue, from an authorized person (the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief or Public Works Superintendent).Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, s. 1 'Authorized Person'; s. 2.02 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingmeans the Fire Chief, the Deputy Fire Chief and the Public Works Superintendent; without first obtaining a permit from an authorized person. |
| Fire bans | Fire bans are enacted and managed provincially by the BC Wildfire Service. The District refers residents to the BC Wildfire Service website for bans in effect.Fire Department, Fire Bans · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingFire bans are enacted and managed provincially by the BC Wildfire Service. To view current fire bans in effect, wildfire news, or resources on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, please visit the BC Wildfire Service website. |
| Instead of burning | Not confirmed. No official page found says where yard waste can go instead of burning. |
| Fine | No amount is set. A person who breaks the bylaw commits an offence and is punishable on conviction under the Offence Act. The Fire Chief may also bill the cost of fire department response.Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, s. 7, 9.03 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingAny person who commits an offence is liable and punishable, upon conviction, under The owner or occupier shall pay the costs of the services provided by the Fire Department within thirty (30) |
| Bylaw | Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, s. 10.01 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08Official wordingThis bylaw may be cited as the District of Vanderhoof Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005. |
How it works
Under the Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005, no permit is needed in Vanderhoof for a campfire (a small open-air burn no larger than 30 inches in diameter) or for small, confined cooking fires on barbecues and grills. All burning is subject to the venting index, and offensive odours and excessive smoke are not permitted.
Steps
- For other open burning, get a permit from an authorized person (the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief or Public Works Superintendent). Call the Municipal Office at 250-567-4711.
- An authorized person may permit burning of garden and lawn waste, household paper waste, debris and construction waste, or clean untreated lumber.
- Stay with the fire. A competent person must be in charge, with a charged hose and nozzle.
Good to know
- Never burn rubbish, paint, tires, oil, tar, asphalt shingles, plastic or similar.
- Burning land-clearing debris has extra steps in section 4 of the bylaw (Fire Chief inspection, no burning when the forest fire rating is high to extreme, and a water delivery system from April 1 to October 31).
- Fire bans are enacted and managed provincially. Check the BC Wildfire Service website for bans in effect.
- No fine amount is set. A person who breaks the bylaw is punishable on conviction under the Offence Act, and the Fire Chief may bill the cost of fire department response.
- No official page found says where yard waste can go instead of burning.
Official forms and pages
The same question in other places
Fort St James · Prince George · Burns Lake · Mackenzie · Quesnel · Houston
Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality →
Sources
- Burning Control Regulations Bylaw No. 988, 2005 (PDF), District of Vanderhoof (read 2026-11-08)
- Fire Department, District of Vanderhoof (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.