{"title":"Whistler backyard fire and burning rules","question":"Can I have a backyard fire or burn yard waste in Whistler?","slug":"backyard-fire","place":{"path":"ca/bc/whistler","name":"Whistler","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":"Resort Municipality of Whistler","url":"https://www.whistler.ca"},"short_answer":"In Whistler, a backyard campfire needs a Campfire Permit from Whistler Fire Rescue Service. Other open-air fires are prohibited, and yard waste cannot be burned at any time. Campfires are not allowed when the Fire Danger Rating is high or extreme or a ban is in effect. Email fire@whistler.ca.","aliases":["campfire permit whistler","backyard fire pit whistler","burning ban whistler","burn yard waste whistler"],"cost":"No application or inspection fee. $100 for a re-inspection after a refusal. Bylaw notice for a prohibited fire: $300 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $500.","how_long":"The bylaw says a Campfire Permit lasts four years; the Municipality's page and form say it expires December 31 and must be renewed yearly. Confirm with Fire Rescue.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Whistler Fire Rescue Service (send the fire permit application)","value":"fire@whistler.ca"},{"type":"online","label":"Fire Danger Rating and campfire rules","value":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service (PDF)","url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WFRS-Fillable-Fire-Permit-Application.pdf"},{"title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"fireworks","title":"Whistler fireworks rules","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/fireworks/"},{"slug":"yard-waste","title":"Whistler yard waste collection and drop-off","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/yard-waste/"},{"slug":"bylaw-fines","title":"Whistler bylaw fines and how tickets work","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/bylaw-fines/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/pemberton","name":"Pemberton","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pemberton/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/squamish","name":"Squamish","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/squamish/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/lions-bay","name":"Lions Bay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lions-bay/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/anmore","name":"Anmore","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/anmore/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/north-vancouver-district","name":"District of North Vancouver","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/north-vancouver-district/backyard-fire/"},{"place":"ca/bc/bowen-island","name":"Bowen Island","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/bowen-island/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":"Campfires need a Campfire Permit (except in a designated pit in a campground): recreational or ceremonial, one pile no bigger than 0.5 m wide and high, 3 m clear of combustibles, no ban, Fire Danger Rating low or moderate at 3 p.m. Permit form adds: only 8 a.m. to midnight, wind under 20 km/h. Gas or propane fires in a pit or barbecue need no permit.","short":"Yes, with a Campfire Permit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 6.1, 6.5","quotes":["unless the fire is authorized by a Campfire Permit or is specifically permitted under this Bylaw.","the campfire is burning material in one pile not exceeding 0.5 metres in width and 0.5 metres in height;","the campfire is separated at least 3 metres in all directions from combustible materials;","the Fire Danger Rating is indicated as “low” or “moderate” on the Danger Class Website as of 3:00PM that same day."]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Amendment-Bylaw-False-Alarms-Inspections-and-Other-Amendments-No.-2375-2022.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Amendment Bylaw No. 2375, 2022 (PDF)","section":"s. 2(g) (new s. 6.3)","quotes":["6.3 A person may use a natural gas or propane gas fueled fire contained within a fire pit or barbeque without a Campfire Permit."]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/","title":"Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler","section":"Campfires in Whistler","quotes":["You need a permit to have a campfire in Whistler.","Bonfires or open-air fires are not permitted in public areas or Whistler’s parks at any time."]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WFRS-Fillable-Fire-Permit-Application.pdf","title":"Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service (PDF)","section":"Additional conditions for CAMPFIRES; General Fire Permit Conditions","quotes":["Are only allowed between 8 a.m. and midnight on any given day.","Wind speed is less than 20 kilometres per hour."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"open_burning":{"label":"Burning yard waste","value":"Not allowed. Any open-air fire, including a campfire or a portable incinerator, is prohibited unless authorized by a Campfire Permit or specifically permitted by the bylaw. The city says yard waste cannot be burned in Whistler at any time.","short":"No","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","section":"s. 6.1","quotes":["No person shall light, ignite, start or burn, or cause, suffer or allow to be lighted, ignited, started or burned, any open air fire, including a campfire, or any fire in a portable incinerator"]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/","title":"Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler","section":"Yard waste burning is not permitted","quotes":["You can’t burn yard waste in Whistler at any time."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permit":{"label":"Permit","value":"Yes, a Campfire Permit from Whistler Fire Rescue Service: email the fire permit application to fire@whistler.ca. No application or inspection fee; $100 for a re-inspection after a refusal. Bylaw s. 6.15 says four years, but the City page and the application form say it expires December 31 and must be renewed yearly.","short":"Yes, no fee; $100 for re-inspection","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 6.12-6.15; Schedule B","quotes":["A Campfire Permit is valid for four years","a Member shall perform a site visit","Campfire Permit Application/Inspection                 6.13     No Fee","Campfire Permit Re-Inspection                          6.14     $100.00"]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/","title":"Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler","section":"Campfires in Whistler","quotes":["Email the completed form(s) to fire@whistler.ca.","Residential campfire permits expire on December 31 and must be renewed each year."]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WFRS-Fillable-Fire-Permit-Application.pdf","title":"Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service (PDF)","section":"Campfires conditions; Fire Permit","quotes":["The CAMPFIRE PERMIT is valid for the calendar year, expiring on December 31st.","The Whistler Fire Rescue Service may inspect the fire site."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"},"sources_differ":"Bylaw s. 6.15 (four years) disagrees with the city page (yearly, expires December 31). The bylaw is followed, but the page may reflect current practice."},"fire_bans":{"label":"Fire bans","value":"The Fire Chief may temporarily ban campfires and other open fires. Campfires are also not allowed when the Fire Danger Rating is high or extreme, or when a municipal or provincial ban is in effect. Whistler's rating (listed as Cheakamus) is posted daily May to September on the Fire Danger Rating page; provincial bans are on the BC Wildfire Service site.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","section":"ss. 6.5(e)-(f), 6.6","quotes":["Where the Fire Chief deems it expedient to do so, or where the Fire Chief considers hazardous fire conditions to exist, the Fire Chief may temporarily ban campfires in the Municipality"]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/","title":"Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler","section":"Campfires in Whistler; Fire Danger Rating","quotes":["No campfires are allowed in Whistler when the fire danger rating is high or extreme, or if there is a municipal or provincial fire ban in effect.","Whistler is listed as Cheakamus."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"alternatives":{"label":"Instead of burning","value":"Yard waste goes in the yard waste bin at the Function Junction and Nesters depots from April to November, or to the Whistler Waste Transfer Station. The FireSmart community chipper program for woody debris runs in summer.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/property-housing/garbage-and-recycling/composting-and-yard-waste/","title":"Composting and yard waste, Resort Municipality of Whistler","section":"Where to drop off compost and yard waste","quotes":["Yard waste can be dropped off at the Function Junction and Nesters depot in the specific bin from April to November.","free FireSmart community chipper program for woody debris in the summer months"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"fine":{"label":"Fine","value":"Bylaw notice: prohibited open-air fire (s. 6.1), prohibited campfire (s. 6.5) or campfire during a ban (s. 6.6): $300 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $500. Municipal ticket: $500 for the first two, $1,000 for a campfire during a ban.","short":"Notice $300 if paid in 14 days, otherwise $500","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL002174.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A (PDF)","section":"Schedule A, Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019","quotes":["Prohibited open air fire            6.1            $300.00      $500.00   NO","Prohibited campfire                 6.5            $300.00      $500.00   NO","Campfire during ban                 6.6            $300.00      $500.00   NO"]},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL001719-2025-09-03-Signed.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF)","section":"Schedule B6","quotes":["Prohibited open air fire                                           6.1                     $500.00","Prohibited campfire                                                6.5                     $500.00","Campfire during ban                                                6.6                     $1000.00"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","section":"Title","quotes":["Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019"]}],"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\nUnder the [Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201](https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf), any open-air fire, including a campfire or portable incinerator, is prohibited unless a Campfire Permit or the bylaw allows it. The Municipality says yard waste cannot be burned in Whistler at any time. Gas or propane fires in a pit or barbecue need no permit, and the Municipality's page also allows a CSA- or ULC-rated propane campfire apparatus with a flame under 15 cm.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Download the Fire Permit Application and email it to fire@whistler.ca.\n2. Build a recreational or ceremonial campfire as one pile no bigger than 0.5 m wide and high, with 3 m clear of anything combustible.\n3. Light it only when there is no ban and the Fire Danger Rating is low or moderate at 3 p.m. The permit form adds: only between 8 a.m. and midnight, and wind under 20 km/h.\n4. To check the rating, see the Fire Danger Rating page (posted daily from May to September). Provincial bans are on the BC Wildfire Service site.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Permit length: the bylaw (s. 6.15) says four years, but the Municipality's page and form say the permit expires December 31 and must be renewed yearly. Confirm with Fire Rescue.\n- The Fire Chief may temporarily ban campfires and other open fires.\n- Instead of burning, use the yard waste bin at the Function Junction and Nesters depots (April to November) or the Whistler Waste Transfer Station.\n- Bylaw notice for a prohibited open-air fire or campfire, or a campfire during a ban: $300 if paid within 14 days, otherwise $500. Municipal ticket: $500, or $1,000 for a campfire during a ban.\n- The Municipality says a fine of up to $10,000 may be given for behaviour that could start a fire.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Bylaw-No.-2201-2019.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fire-and-Life-Safety-Amendment-Bylaw-False-Alarms-Inspections-and-Other-Amendments-No.-2375-2022.pdf","title":"Fire and Life Safety Amendment Bylaw No. 2375, 2022 (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/municipal-services/safety-emergency-services/fire-prevention-and-regulations/fire-danger-rating/","title":"Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WFRS-Fillable-Fire-Permit-Application.pdf","title":"Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/property-housing/garbage-and-recycling/composting-and-yard-waste/","title":"Composting and yard waste, Resort Municipality of Whistler","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL002174.pdf","title":"Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.whistler.ca/wp-content/uploads/CBYL001719-2025-09-03-Signed.pdf","title":"Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF)","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/whistler/backyard-fire/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/backyard-fire.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/whistler/backyard-fire.json"}}