Open Air Burning

Guidelines

• Fire Pit

  “Fire Pit” means a pit not more than 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter, requiring not less than 7.5 meters (25 feet) of clearance. The fire pit must be enclosed on all sides and constructed of masonry, concrete, stone, heavy gauge metal or other non-combustible materials. The flames from the fire are no higher than 1 meter (3 feet) above ground level.

  Any person that sets, maintains or operates a Fire Pit must provide that:

  • The fire is not more than 1 meter (3 feet) by 1 meter (3 feet) in size and not more than 1 meter (3 feet) in height
  • The fire is located at a distance of not less than 7.5 meters (25 feet) between the fire and any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wires or any other combustible materials
  • The fire does not cause a nuisance; where the wind direction causes the smoke to create discomfort to persons residing in the immediate area
  • A portable fire extinguisher or operable garden hose is available while the fire is burning
  • A competent person maintains constant watch and control over the fire pit from the time of the setting of the fire until the fire is totally extinguished
  • The material to be burned shall be limited to wood or by-products of wood, excluding materials that can be reused, recycled, mixed debris such as brush or leaves or vegetation that can be composted
  • The fire is completely extinguished when it is not being supervised
  • No fire shall contain rubber tires, plastic products, shingles, painted wood or other building materials that are known to create extensive smoke
• Outdoor Fireplace

  "Outdoor Fireplace" means a manufactured non-combustible enclosed container such as fire bowls with spark arrestors on the top or chimineas, this type of fire requires not less than 4.5 meters (15 feet) of clearance.

  Any person that sets, maintains, or operates an outdoor fireplace must provide that:

  • It is located on a non-combustible surface extending beyond the unit to a dimension equal to the height of the unit or unless it carries a UL/CSA rating and the manufacturer's guidelines are followed
  • It is located at a distance not less than 4.5 meters (15 feet) from any building or structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wires, or other combustible article
  • The fire does not cause a nuisance; where the wind direction causes the smoke to create discomfort to persons residing in the immediate area
  • The materials to be burned must be limited to dry wood or by-products of wood
  • A competent person maintains constant watch and control over the fireplace from the time of the setting of the fire until the fire is totally extinguished
  • The fire is completely extinguished when it is not being supervised
  • No fire shall contain rubber tires, plastic products, shingles, painted wood, or other building materials that are known to create extensive smoke
• Open Air Burning

  “Open Air" includes any open place, yard, field or construction area which is not enclosed by a building or structure.

  It is the property owners’ responsibility to ensure the following minimum requirements are in place prior to burning. They include but are not limited to:

  • The fire is not more than 2 meters (6 feet) by 2 meters (6 feet) in size and not more than 2 meters (6 feet) in height
  • The fire is contained in a pit
  • The materials to be burned must be limited to dry wood or by-products of wood
  • The pit is a maximum of two (2) meters in diameter
  • The pit is a minimum of seven and a half (7.5) meters from any buildings, overhead wires, and combustible vegetation
  • A means of extinguishment is on site
  • The fire is supervised at all times by a competent person
  • The fire is completely extinguished when it is not being supervised
• Leaves & Garden Waste

  Leaves and garden waste produce excessive smoke and are not permitted to be burned. The Landfill & Recycling Depot accepts leaves, garden waste, and brush for disposal at no charge.