In accordance with the above noted Regulation made under the Fire Protection & Prevention Act, Open Air Burning is not permitted unless approved by the Chief Fire Official.

Approval by the Chief Fire Official may be obtained only after completion of a site inspection.

Approval by the Chief Fire Official and issuing of a "PERMIT" to conduct open air burning is subject to the following conditions:

1. The Fire Department Communication Center shall be notified (at 877-1133) prior to and at the completion of each Open Air Burn.

   When contacting the Communication Center regarding Open Air Burning be sure to reference your "Permit Number".

2. Burning shall only be conducted starting 1/2 hour after sunrise and concluding 1/2 hour before sunset. The fire shall be completely extinguished not later than 1/2 hour before sunset.

   The Inspector may approve burning after sunset in circumstances where it is necessary and may be done safely.

3. The Permit Holder shall ensure the fire is attended by an adult person at all times until completely extinguished.

4. The Permit Holder shall ensure adequate equipment is on site in order to prevent the fire from spreading beyond control, and/or cause damage or danger to person(s) property.

   Adequate equipment shall be as specified on the Permit by the issuing Inspector in consideration for the location, and materials to be burned.

5. The Permit Holder shall ensure the fire does not include any of the products listed below:

   • petroleum base products such as oil or grease;

   • rubber products including tires;

   • ashphalt materials including building materials;

   • plastic products;

   • aerosol or pressurized containers;

   • household garbage; or

   • any product known to be environmentally harmful.

   A small quantity of gasoline or diesel fuel may be used with extreme caution to initiate combustion.

6. The Permit Holder shall ensure the burn site has a minimum clear distance from building structures, hedges, fences, property lines and/or windbreaks as specified on the Permit by the issuing Inspector. In no case shall this distance be less than 10 m (30 ft.).

7. The Permit Holder shall ensure the burn site is clear of ground cover vegetation as specified on the permit by the issuing Inspector. In no case shall this distance be less than 2 m (6 ft.).

8. The Permit Holder shall ensure the volume of materials burned at one time does not exceed that specified on the permit by the issuing Inspector.

9. The Permit Holder shall ensure the fire is contained in the manner specified on the permit by the issuing Inspector.

10. The Permit Holder shall ensure the fire does not:

    • cause discomfort to other persons;

    • cause loss of enjoyment to normal use of property;

    • interfere with the normal conduct of business, or

    • decrease visibility on any public highway or roadway.

11. The Permit Holder shall ensure that Open Air Burning does not contravene any rules or regulations set forth by the Ministry of the Environment and the provisions of the Evironmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1980, Chapter 141, as amended.

Any violation of the conditions of the Permit to Conduct Open Air Burning, in the opinion of a Fire Department Officer, may result in any or all of the following:

• extinguishment of the fire;

• revoking of the Permit to Conduct Open Air Burning;

• refusal of future requests for a Permit to Conduct Open Air Burning, or

• charges laid under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.

Section 28(1)(c), 28(3)(a), and 28(3)(b) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act indicate:

In the event the Fire Department responds to extinguish Open Air Burning being conducted without a permit, or in violation of the conditions of the Permit, the full costs of extinguishment, including labour costs and equipment costs, as determined by the Department may be charged to the property owner and/or Permit Holder.