---
title: West Kelowna backyard fire and burning rules
question: "Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste?"
place: West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/west-kelowna
category: Bylaws, noise and complaints
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of West Kelowna
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire.json"
---

# West Kelowna backyard fire and burning rules

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

**Short answer:** In West Kelowna a small campfire for warmth or cooking is allowed unless a campfire ban is in effect, and you may not burn yard waste or garbage in it. Open burning of piles needs a permit from the Fire Chief (West Kelowna Fire Rescue, 778-797-3200), and only in the burning season.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of West Kelowna, https://www.westkelownacity.ca)  
**Cost:** No permit fee is stated on the City's Fire and Rescue page, in Bylaw 0114 or in the Fees and Charges Bylaw.  
**How long:** Open burning season is October 1 to April 30; the Fire Chief may set a different season or suspend permits.  
**Where:**
- Phone: West Kelowna Fire Rescue (open burning permits), 778-797-3200 (8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.)
- Phone: Outdoor Burning Hotline (check before each burn), 1-855-262-2876
- Online: Daily outdoor burning indicator (RDCO), https://www.rdco.com/environment/outdoor-burning/

## Key facts

- **Backyard campfires:** Yes, unless a campfire ban is in effect. The bylaw allows a fire no bigger than 0.5 m across, for warmth or cooking only; the City's page says a 45 cm pit with 1 m of bare soil around it and 3.6 m clearance. Seasoned wood, a hand tool or 8 litres of water close, someone watching. No yard waste or garbage. (Sources differ: The City page gives a 45 cm fire pit diameter and 1 m of mineral soil around it with 3.6 m additional clearance; the bylaw definition is one half metre. Bylaw 0114 s. 3 controls. Standing notice, not a rule: the City page says that since Sept. 9, 2026, small campfires and open burning are again permitted until further notice. Westbank First Nation law 2005-11 applies on WFN land. Parks bylaw: no open fire in a City park (s. 3.11 a).)
  - Source: [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (consolidated), ss. 3, 29.17](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Campfire - means a fire no greater than one half (1/2) meter in diameter used" … "solely for warmth or cooking." … "The use of a campfire shall be in accordance with the fire department’s"
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue, Campfire Restrictions](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/fire-and-rescue/)
  - Official wording: "Are NOT allowed when a campfire ban is in effect." … "Require a nearby source of extinguishment, including a minimum of one hand tool or eight litres of water." … "Must use seasoned firewood" … "Must not be used to burn yard waste, garbage and construction materials." … "Fire pit diametre = 45 centimetres (1.5 feet max)" … "Circumference around fire pit = one metre (three feet of mineral soil)" … "Additional clearance circumference = 3.6 metres (12 feet)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Burning yard waste:** Only with a permit from the Fire Chief. Permits are for lots over 1 hectare, or smaller lots where the Fire Chief decides burning serves public safety better. Burning season is October 1 to April 30. Must be 50 m from buildings, forest and property lines; burn only material from the parcel, between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, when the venting index is 55 or higher. No burn barrels or backyard incinerators.
  - Source: [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (consolidated), ss. 29.2, 29.3, 29.5a, 29.6, 29.8, 29.11, 29.16, 29.20](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "no person shall start or burn a" … "fire of any kind in the outdoors, other than a campfire, without first having obtained" … "The Fire Chief may issue a permit for open burning on lots having an area greater" … "than one hectare" … "must maintain a" … "minimum separation of fifty meters between the location of the open burn fire and" … "all material to be burned originates from the parcel of land on which it is to be" … "between 7:00 a.m. and sunset of the" … "venting index as provided daily" … "is fifty-five (55) or greater when the fire is started." … "The Fire Chief may issue permits for burning with the time periods from October" … "No person shall burn in or allow a fire to continue to burn in a domestic outdoor or"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permit:** Yes, for open burning (not for a small campfire). Call West Kelowna Fire Rescue at 778-797-3200, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding holidays. Before each burn, call the Outdoor Burning Hotline 1-855-262-2876 to confirm burning is allowed that day.
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue, Open burning permits](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/fire-and-rescue/)
  - Official wording: "To obtain a burning permit, call:" … "778-797-3200, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays." … "call the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline at 1-855-262-2876 (BURN) to confirm that burning is permitted on that day."
  - Source: [Outdoor burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Permits](https://www.rdco.com/environment/outdoor-burning/)
  - Official wording: "Burning permits are issued by local fire departments." … "City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation residents - West Kelowna Fire/Rescue"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fire bans:** Campfires are not allowed during a campfire ban, and the Fire Chief can suspend campfires or change or cancel burning permits when conditions are hazardous. Check the daily outdoor burning indicator (updated about 8 a.m.) at rdco.com/outdoorburning or call 1-855-262-2876; fire danger ratings are on BC Wildfire.
  - Source: [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (consolidated), ss. 29.17, 29.19](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "This authorization for the use of campfires may be suspended by" … "The Fire Chief may suspend, cancel, restrict or change the conditions of any"
  - Source: [Fire and Rescue, Campfire Restrictions](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/fire-and-rescue/)
  - Official wording: "Are NOT allowed when a campfire ban is in effect." … "each morning an online outdoor burning indicator is updated at rdco.com/outdoorburning."
  - Source: [Outdoor burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Check current burning conditions](https://www.rdco.com/environment/outdoor-burning/)
  - Official wording: "Current conditions are updated daily at approximately 8 a.m."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Instead of burning:** Put yard waste in the green-lidded yard waste cart (collected every other week), or take it to the Asquith Road Transfer Station, 2640 Asquith Road (fees apply: $1 per bag, $5 per vehicle or trailer load up to 4' x 8' x 2').
  - Source: [Yard waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Yard waste page](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/)
  - Official wording: "The RDCO provides curbside cart collection for yard waste from single family dwellings in" … "Haul extra yard waste to the Glenmore Landfill or the Asquith Road Transfer Station. Fees apply."
  - Source: [Asquith Road Transfer Station, Regional District of Central Okanagan, Rates](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/disposal-locations/asquith-road-transfer-station/)
  - Official wording: "$1.00 per bag" … "$5 per vehicle/trailer load, up to 4’ x 8’ x 2’"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fine:** Burning without a permit $250. Prohibited campfire burning $250. Burning prohibited materials $250 (failing to ensure only permitted materials are burned $500). Other burn-rule breaches $250. Making a fire in a City park $500. Bylaw notice and municipal ticket amounts are the same.
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated), Bylaw 0093, Schedule 7](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "29.2 Fail to Obtain a Burning Permit $250.00" … "29.17 Prohibited Campfire Burning $250.00" … "29.7 Fail to Ensure Only Permitted Materials are Burned $500.00" … "29.15 Burn Prohibited Materials $250.00"
  - Source: [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095 (consolidated), Bylaw 0095, Schedule 7](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "29.2 Fail to Obtain a Burning Permit $250.00" … "29.17 Prohibited Campfire Burning $250.00"
  - Source: [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated), Bylaw 0093, Schedule 12](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Make fire in park or public space 3.11 a) $ 500.00"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** City of West Kelowna Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw 2010 No. 0114 (s. 29).
  - Source: [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (consolidated), s. 1](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf)
  - Official wording: "City of West Kelowna Fire Rescue Establishment" … "and Operations Bylaw 2010 No. 0114."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

In West Kelowna, [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf) treats a small campfire and open burning differently. Westbank First Nation law 2005-11 applies on its own land.

## Steps

1. Campfire: check that no campfire ban is in effect. Check the daily outdoor burning indicator (updated about 8 a.m.) at rdco.com/outdoorburning or call 1-855-262-2876. Fire danger ratings are on BC Wildfire.
2. Keep the fire to no more than 0.5 m across, for warmth or cooking only. Use seasoned wood, keep a hand tool or 8 litres of water close, and have someone watching.
3. Open burning of piles: call West Kelowna Fire Rescue at 778-797-3200 for a permit. Permits are for lots over 1 hectare, or smaller lots where the Fire Chief decides burning serves public safety better.
4. Before each burn, call 1-855-262-2876 to confirm burning is allowed that day.

## Good to know

- The City's page describes a 45 cm fire pit with 1 m of bare soil around it and 3.6 m of clearance, which differs from the bylaw's 0.5 m. Confirm with Fire Rescue.
- Do not burn yard waste or garbage in a campfire. Campfires are not allowed during a ban, and the Fire Chief can suspend campfires or change or cancel permits when conditions are hazardous.
- Open burning: season October 1 to April 30. Stay 50 m from buildings, forest and property lines; burn only material from the parcel, between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, when the venting index is 55 or higher. No burn barrels or backyard incinerators.
- Alternatives: put yard waste in the green-lidded cart (collected every other week), or take it to the Asquith Road Transfer Station, 2640 Asquith Road ($1 per bag; $5 per vehicle or trailer load up to 4' x 8' x 2').
- Fines: burning without a permit, prohibited campfire burning, and burning prohibited materials are $250 each; failing to ensure only permitted materials are burned is $500; making a fire in a City park is $500. A bylaw notice and a municipal ticket are the same amount. The person responsible for an unpermitted fire also pays the cost of putting it out.

## Official forms and pages

- [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf)

## Related questions

- [West Kelowna fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/fireworks.md)
- [West Kelowna bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/bylaw-fines.md)
- [West Kelowna yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Backyard fire and burning rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/backyard-fire.md)
- [Peachland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/peachland/backyard-fire.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/backyard-fire.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/backyard-fire.md)
- [Summerland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/summerland/backyard-fire.md)
- [Penticton](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/penticton/backyard-fire.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/backyard-fire.md)

## Sources

- [Fire and Rescue, City of West Kelowna](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/city-services/fire-and-rescue/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fire Rescue Establishment and Operations Bylaw No. 0114 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.westkelownacity.ca/media/vaslba0b/0114-fire-rescue-establishment-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Outdoor burning, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/environment/outdoor-burning/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Yard waste, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/yard-waste/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Asquith Road Transfer Station, Regional District of Central Okanagan](https://www.rdco.com/living-here/waste-and-recycling/disposal-locations/asquith-road-transfer-station/) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 0093 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/n4hdhy3i/b0093-bylaw-dispute-adjudication-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw No. 0095 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://media-003-ca.cdn.govstack.com/westkelownacity-ca/media/dz1mghbc/b0095-municipal-ticket-information-utilization-consolidated.pdf) (read 2026-11-05)

_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 City of West Kelowna. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire/_