Whether you are having a contained backyard fire or burning brush, you need to get a burn permit.

Open burning must be done with the permission of the Fire Chief and in accordance with the Open Burning By-law. Burning permits shall be applied for at least 24 hours in advance, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and may be valid for up to three weeks. There is no fee for a permit, but failure to obtain one may result in a fine. 

Submit a Burn Permit Application

Fire Regulations

Please follow all fire regulations to ensure your safety and to keep fires under control.

Outdoor Fire Container Rules
If you’re having an outdoor container fire, you need to:
  • Burn between the hours of dawn and 1 am
  • Use a container no larger than 2 feet in length, width and height
  • Burn clean, dry wood
  • Avoid causing discomfort to other people

View our fire container distance requirement before starting your fire. Make sure to position the fire 5 m (16.4 ft) away from:

  • Buildings and structures
  • Property lines
  • Trees
  • Hedges
  • Fences
  • Roadways
  • Overhead wires
  • Other combustible objects

Brush Fire Rules

Brush fires allow you to burn certain types of yard clippings and green waste. Before starting an open-air brush fire, contact the Fire Department. Brush fires must be in a fire pit or barrel/drum that is no larger than 1.2 m (4 feet) in length, width and height. Position your fire 15 m (50 feet) away from:

  • Buildings and structures
  • Property lines
  • Trees
  • Hedges
  • Fences
  • Roadways
  • Overhead wires
  • Other combustible objects

 

Agricultural Land Burn Rules
Your burn must be in open air and be no greater than 3 m (10 ft) in width, length and height. Position your agricultural burn 30 m (100 feet) away from:
  • Buildings and structures
  • Property lines
  • Trees
  • Hedges
  • Fences
  • Roadways
  • Overhead wires
  • Other combustible objects

 

Where Burn Permits Are Not Allowed

Burn permits are not issued for built up areas in:

  • Belmont
  • Lynhurst
  • New Sarum
  • Orwell
  • Port Stanley
  • Sparta
  • Union
  • Yarmouth Centre

You are responsible for any fire you light. Failure to comply with the Open Burning By-law can result in charges and an invoice for firefighting costs.