Burning Permits

Open Burning

For the months of April and October only, open burning of yard and garden waste on properties of 1 ac. (43,560 sq. ft.) or greater within Kamloops and Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc is allowed with a permit.

Alternatives to Burning

Under the 2012 Airshed Management Plan, the City is committed to ensuring that open burning is a last resort approach and is undertaken correctly to minimize contaminant emissions.

Before applying for a permit, please consider one of the following alternatives to burning:

  • Compost, mulch, or reuse wood waste as much as possible on your own property. 
  • Drop off yard waste for free at City sites: 
    • Cinnamon Ridge (4.3 km west of the airport, 4045 Tranquille Road) accepts yard waste, including tree prunings and tree trunks up to a maximum 24 in. diameter (anything larger must be split).
    • Barnhartvale Landfill, Landfill Diversion Area, and Yard Waste Site (970 Eliza Road) accepts yard waste, including tree prunings and tree trunks up to a maximum 6 in. diameter.
    • Bunker Road Recycling Depot and Yard Waste Site (1455 Bunker Road) accepts yard waste, including tree prunings and tree trunks up to a maximum 6 in. diameter. 
  • Divert wood waste. The Resource Recovery Centre (400 Owl Road) and the Mission Flats Landfill (3095 Mission Flats Road) accept wood waste with a disposal fee of $100 per tonne.

Click here for more information, including hours of operation. For additional permit or Venting Index information, please call 250-372-5131. Please note that Venting Index information is updated daily after 8:00 am.

Air Quality Health Index

The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) uses a scale to show the health risk associated with different levels of air quality and provides guidance on managing exposure to outdoor air pollution. We recommend that burning not occur when the AQHI is at 7 or higher. 

Burning Permits & Costs      

Minimum 1 acre required for all permits

Type of BurningCostInspectionBurn SeasonApplication OpenHow to ApplyAdditional Restrictions
Cooking Fire$50YesYear-roundYear-roundDue to COVID-10, apply online only. 3 fires per year
maximum
FarmNoneYesNov-Mar 31October 21 to March 31Application period currently closed.Farm status
required
Hazard AbatementNoneYesNov-Mar 31October 21 to March 31Application period currently closed. 
Development Land Clearing$100/ac.YesNov-Mar 31October 21 to March 31Application period currently closed.Development
Permit needed
Yard/Garden Waste$100NoApril and October
only		Spring: March 21 - April 30

Fall: September 21 - October 30

Application period currently closed. 
Venting Index

May 3 - venting 80 - good to burn

Restrictions
  • Burning is prohibited on properties less than 1 acre (43,560 sq. ft.)
  • Permits are required for properties greater than 1 acre
  • Permits must be in place prior to burning.
  • Burning is subject to Venting Index - check for daily update.
  • Permits are not issued when Fire Danger Rating is HIGH or EXTREME.

  • Residential or farm properties only, no strata or condominium complexes.

For more information, read Bylaw No. 10-37

Conditions

There are conditions that apply to these permits, and failure to comply with these conditions or obtain the necessary permit may result in a $500 fine. 

Conditions include, but are not limited to: 

  • No burning outside the Venting Index
  • No burning after dark
  • No burning for commercial or industrial purposes or on properties less than 1 ac.

Permits for burning within Kamloops must be picked up at:

Fire Station No. 1 
1205 Summit Drive 
Phone: 250-372-5131

Burning permits will only be issued from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Payment by cash or cheques are accepted; please bring the exact amount.

Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc

Permits for burning within the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc must be picked up at:

Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc 
Bylaw Services 
Phone: 250-314-1570 
Email: rochelle.leonard@kib.ca

burning permit, permit, venting index