Fire Pit Safety
Have a Safe Backyard Fire
Backyard fire pits, as well as outdoor fireplaces, and wood-burning ovens must meet Canmore's Fire Bylaw & Regulations for the safety of our community.
Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire. Fire Ban Status
Fire Pit Safety and Conditions
· Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire.
· Backyard fire pits must be built into the ground, on brick or stone, or in a fire-proof container.
· Portable fire pits may be used on a deck, but they must sit on non-combustible material such as brick or stone, and not directly on your wooden deck.
· Fire pits must be at least two metres away from any building or combustible material such as your fence.
· Fire pits must NOT be under any trees, branches, plants, or other materials that can catch fire.
· All fires in your fire pit must be kept to a reasonable size; 1 metre high and wide.
· A mesh screen or ‘spark guard’ should be used to reduce the spread of embers and sparks from wood-burning fire pits.
· All fires must be fully supervised at all times by at least one person 14 years of age or older.
· Always have a nearby way to put out the fire. Easy options are your watering hose or a bucket of water.
To read all the conditions for outdoor fires, read section 3 of the pdf Town of Canmore Fire Bylaw (5.12 MB)
· Backyard fire pits must be built into the ground, on brick or stone, or in a fire-proof container.
· Portable fire pits may be used on a deck, but they must sit on non-combustible material such as brick or stone, and not directly on your wooden deck.
· Fire pits must be at least two metres away from any building or combustible material such as your fence.
· Fire pits must NOT be under any trees, branches, plants, or other materials that can catch fire.
· All fires in your fire pit must be kept to a reasonable size; 1 metre high and wide.
· A mesh screen or ‘spark guard’ should be used to reduce the spread of embers and sparks from wood-burning fire pits.
· All fires must be fully supervised at all times by at least one person 14 years of age or older.
· Always have a nearby way to put out the fire. Easy options are your watering hose or a bucket of water.
To read all the conditions for outdoor fires, read section 3 of the pdf Town of Canmore Fire Bylaw (5.12 MB)
Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
· Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
· Wood from a different region or province
· Wet or green/fresh-cut wood
· Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
· Garbage
· Rubber or plastic
· Furniture.
You can be fined up to $2,000 for not following Canmore's bylaws. These bylaws help protect our community.
· Wood from a different region or province
· Wet or green/fresh-cut wood
· Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
· Garbage
· Rubber or plastic
· Furniture.
You can be fined up to $2,000 for not following Canmore's bylaws. These bylaws help protect our community.
Be a Good Neighbour
· Fire pits may only be used between 10 a.m. and 1 a.m.
· Smoke from fire pits can cause adverse health effects. Be aware of neighbours who may be negatively impacted by exposure of smoke from outdoor fire pits.
· Take precautions to prevent smoke from disturbing your neighbors.
· Be aware of the amount of noise you are making, and respect your neighbours.
· Smoke from fire pits can cause adverse health effects. Be aware of neighbours who may be negatively impacted by exposure of smoke from outdoor fire pits.
· Take precautions to prevent smoke from disturbing your neighbors.
· Be aware of the amount of noise you are making, and respect your neighbours.
Report a Complaint
Call 403.678.4244 during business hours to report a complaint about a backyard fire pit to Municipal Enforcement.
Call 9-1-1 to report an illegal or hazardous fire.
Call 9-1-1 to report an illegal or hazardous fire.
