Fire Regulations Post 10/31
West Fire Region
November 03, 2010
Now that the forest fire season has officially ended (April 1 – October 31) a fire permit is not required for daytime burning of woody debris or grass if you live in an area governed by the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario. Although day burning is allowed after the fire season ends, people must still follow safe outdoor fire management.
Also, if you live within an organized municipality or First Nations community there may be more stringent open burning by-laws in place than what is described here. Before burning, check with your local fire officials for bylaws.
If you have woody debris or grass to dispose of, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources strongly suggests composting or using a chipper. But if you must burn, there are regulations that must be followed.
Under the Forest Fires Prevention Act, a fire may be started if conditions allow the fire to burn safely until extinguishment and all necessary steps are taken to tend, control and extinguish the fire. A person failing to burn safely can be held responsible for the cost of putting out the fire (should it escape) and for any property damage.
You can burn piled wood, brush, leaves or wood by-products without a fire permit provided you meet all the following safe burning rules:
- Only a single pile is burned at any one time
- The pile is not more than two metres in diameter and less than two metres high.
- The fire is at least two metres from any flammable materials.
- You have tools or water adequate to contain the fire to the fire site.
- A responsible person tends the fire until it is extinguished.
