Whistler backyard fire and burning rules

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

Whistler, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Backyard campfires	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.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019, ss. 6.1, 6.5; Fire and Life Safety Amendment Bylaw No. 2375, 2022, s. 2(g) (new s. 6.3); Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Campfires in Whistler; Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service, Additional conditions for CAMPFIRES; General Fire Permit Conditions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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. 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. 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. Are only allowed between 8 a.m. and midnight on any given day. Wind speed is less than 20 kilometres per hour.
Burning yard waste	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.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019, s. 6.1; Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Yard waste burning is not permitted · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 You can’t burn yard waste in Whistler at any time.
Permit	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.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 and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019, ss. 6.12-6.15; Schedule B; Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Campfires in Whistler; Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service, Campfires conditions; Fire Permit · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Email the completed form(s) to fire@whistler.ca. Residential campfire permits expire on December 31 and must be renewed each year. The CAMPFIRE PERMIT is valid for the calendar year, expiring on December 31st. The Whistler Fire Rescue Service may inspect the fire site.
Fire bans	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.Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019, ss. 6.5(e)-(f), 6.6; Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Campfires in Whistler; Fire Danger Rating · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 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.
Instead of burning	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.Composting and yard waste, Where to drop off compost and yard waste · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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
Fine	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.Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A, Schedule A, Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019; Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005, Schedule B6 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording 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 Prohibited open air fire 6.1 $500.00 Prohibited campfire 6.5 $500.00 Campfire during ban 6.6 $1000.00
Bylaw	Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019, Title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06 Official wording Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019

How it works

Under the Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 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.

Steps

Download the Fire Permit Application and email it to fire@whistler.ca.
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.
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.
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.

Good to know

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.
The Fire Chief may temporarily ban campfires and other open fires.
Instead of burning, use the yard waste bin at the Function Junction and Nesters depots (April to November) or the Whistler Waste Transfer Station.
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.
The Municipality says a fine of up to $10,000 may be given for behaviour that could start a fire.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Pemberton · Squamish · Lions Bay · Anmore · District of North Vancouver · Bowen Island

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

Sources

Fire and Life Safety Bylaw No. 2201, 2019 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Fire and Life Safety Amendment Bylaw No. 2375, 2022 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Campfires, fireworks and Fire Danger Rating, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
Fire Permit Application, Whistler Fire Rescue Service (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Composting and yard waste, Resort Municipality of Whistler (read 2026-11-06)
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 2174, 2018, Schedule A (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)
Municipal Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 1719, 2005 (PDF) (read 2026-11-06)

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