Open burning in rural areas 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 two months. There is no fee for a permit, but failure to obtain one may result in a fine. 

Submit a Burn Permit Application

Please note: after you have obtained a Burn Permit, prior to burning, you are required to call Fire Dispatch every time to activate the permit at 1-800-511-9911.

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.

Fire Regulations

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

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
 

 

Backyard fire for heating and cooking 

No Permit is required for and the Open Burning By-Law does not prohibit the use of a fire for legitimate cooking or heating purposes so long as the  fire is contained in an area not exceeding 1 cubic metre in accordance with Section 2. 6. 3. 4 of the Ontario Fire Code and provided further that such fire is fuelled only by natural gas, propane, charcoal, or clean, dry wood.