Department of Community Services

Burning Permits

Burning Permits are suspended in the Yukon whenever the fire danger rating is above the low level.

Each year, valuable assets such as cabins, homes, or communities may be put at risk due to preventable forest fires. Forest fires are very expensive to fight and are not always easily extinguished. We all pay the price in firefighting costs and in lost opportunities for forests burned in timber harvest areas.

 

You Need A Valid Permit To Light An Open Fire

Anytime between April 1 and September 30 in the Yukon, you will need to obtain a burning permit.

Burning permits are required for all PUBLIC and PRIVATE lands (subject to municipal bylaws). This includes burning grass, brush or debris, or lighting an open fire for any purpose other than a campfire. Burning permits may be cancelled before the expiry date if the fire danger makes the action necessary. Larger project burns may require site inspection.

Permits Are Free

With the exception of City of Whitehorse burning permits, burning permits are free. If you need to burn within city limits it must be before April 1 or after September 30. This area includes anywhere within Whitehorse city limits.

You Are Responsible For A Safe Burn

You must comply with the conditions on your burning permit and you must conduct your burn safely. If your permit is suspended or cancelled, you must extinguish any fire you have set. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in you being liable for suppression costs and damages. Burning Permits are suspended in the Yukon whenever the fire danger rating is above the low level. Before you burn, get the latest weather conditions and advice on safe burning from your Zone Protection Manager.

Tips For A Safe Burn:

  • Plan your burn for a safe time of the year-the fall, or just after green-up in the spring
  • Discuss land clearing, range and meadow burning with a Fire Management Officer; sound practical advice is available
  • Listen to local weather reports before you start to avoid burning during high winds
  • Check your permit to ensure that it is valid and that you are complying with the conditions
  • Make sure that you have people and equipment on hand, and where available water to control your burn
  • Only light as many brush piles as you can control
  • Attend to all fires until they are completely out. Make sure they are out by spreading all the burned residue piles by machine or hand
  • At the first sign of difficulty with controlling your burn call the Wildfire Report Line at 1-888-798-3473.

Where Can I Get A Permit?

They are available from your local Yukon Fire Management Zone office. There is a fee for City of Whitehorse Permits, issued by the Whitehorse City Fire Department. For more information on burning permits and burning, please call:

Carmacks 863-5271
Dawson 993-5468
Haines Junction 634-2256
Mayo 996-2343
Ross River 969-2243
Teslin 390-2531
Watson Lake 536-7335
Whitehorse 456-3877
City of Whitehorse
Burning Permits		 668-2462

To Report A Fire Call 1-888-798-FIRE (3473)