Off-road vehicles need a working spark arrestor on Crown land
In BC, anyone riding an off-road vehicle on or within 300 metres of forested land or rangeland must have a spark arrestor installed in the engine...
In BC, anyone riding an off-road vehicle on or within 300 metres of forested land or rangeland must have a spark arrestor installed in the engine exhaust. A spark arrestor is a small screen that traps burning carbon before it leaves the tailpipe. Many newer ATVs, dirt bikes and side-by-sides come factory-equipped, but older machines often need an aftermarket retrofit. Operating without one can result in a $460 violation ticket, an administrative penalty up to $10,000, and — if your vehicle starts a wildfire — a court fine up to $1 million plus up to three years in jail and full liability for firefighting costs. Alberta similarly requires functional muffler and spark-arrestor systems on OHVs, and most western US states and federal lands require an approved spark arrestor on off-road vehicles too — exhaust systems exceeding 200°C can ignite grass and moss that builds up under a hot machine. Inspect the spark arrestor at the start of each riding season, clean carbon buildup, and check the muffler for cracks. Carry a small shovel, bucket or extinguisher, and clear vegetation from under your machine when you stop.
OHV exhaust systems run hotter than 200 °C — hot enough to ignite grass and moss caked under your skid plate, which is exactly what a spark arrestor screen is designed to prevent.
Source: BC — Off-Road Vehicles
Last reviewed 2026-05-02.
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