Fire Pit, Without the Fire

The smart way to keep your evenings warm this August

With a fire ban now in effect and Vernon deep into severe drought restrictions, the traditional wood-burning fire pit is off the table this summer. But that doesn’t mean your evenings on the patio have to go dark. Gas and propane fire features are exempt from most fire bans, and for many Okanagan homeowners, they’re proving to be the smarter long-term choice anyway.

Why Gas Isn’t a Compromise

There’s a lingering idea that gas fire pits are a “lesser” version of the real thing. In practice, the opposite is often true. Gas gives you instant on/off control, no smoke drifting into your neighbour’s yard, no embers to manage around kids or pets, and none of the cleanup that comes with ash and half-burned logs. On a hot, dry August night, that control matters – a gas flame doesn’t throw sparks onto tinder-dry grass, and it doesn’t need to be fully extinguished and monitored for hours afterward.

Natural Gas vs. Propane

Natural gas line – if your home already has a gas line nearby, running a dedicated line to a fixed fire feature gives you unlimited fuel with no tanks to swap. This is the lowest-maintenance option long-term, but it does require permitting and a gas fitter for installation.
Portable propane – freestanding propane fire pits or fire tables offer flexibility. No trenching, no permits, and the ability to move or store the unit as needed. The tradeoff is keeping an eye on tank levels and swapping bottles through the season.

What to Look for When Buying

Not all gas fire features are built the same. A few things worth checking before you buy:

• BTU output – higher isn’t always better; 40,000–60,000 BTU is plenty for most residential patios
• Table vs. freestanding bowl – fire tables double as functional patio furniture, while freestanding bowls read more like a traditional pit
• Wind protection – a lava rock or glass media bed helps shield the flame and improves efficiency
• Material – look for powder-coated steel or cast concrete that can handle Okanagan freeze-thaw cycles without cracking.

The Bigger Picture

Fire bans and water restrictions aren’t a one-off this year – they’re becoming the norm for Okanagan summers. Building your outdoor living space around that reality, rather than around the assumption of a “normal” summer, means fewer surprises and fewer nights where your patio sits unused. A well-chosen gas fire feature lets you keep the ambiance and the gathering spot without gambling on the weather or the bylaw.

If you’re planning a patio or outdoor living space this year, it’s worth designing the fire feature in from the start rather than adding it as an afterthought – the plumbing and clearances are far easier to handle during construction than after.