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Summertime memories can be made sitting around a backyard fire with friends and family. However, a good time on a summer night can quickly turn dangerous if safety guidelines and bylaws are not followed.
Make sure that you are aware of the local regulations, as each municipality has their own local laws and regulations with respect to outdoor burning due to fire hazards. Also, don’t forget to double check that there is not a temporary fire ban in your area.
General Backyard Fire Safety
If you live in an area that allows backyard fires, it is crucial to following these guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for everyone:
- Use appropriate fire pits: make sure that your fire pit is built according to safety standards and has a clear, raised, fireproof barrier to keep it isolated
- Maintain a safe distance: keep your fire pit at least 5-15 feet (1.5-4.5 metres) away from structures, decks, fences, or overhanging tree branches
- Avoid windy conditions: since wind can increase the risk of embers being carried away and igniting nearby combustibles
- Stay prepared: keep a bucket of water, sand, fire extinguisher, or a hose nearby to extinguish the fire quickly, if necessary
Local Backyard Fire Bylaws
City of Kitchener — Fire Bylaw:
- Allows open-air burning on private property without a permit
- Fire must be in a fire pit, outdoor fireplace, or backyard chiminea and fully contained and controlled
- You can burn a fire between 6 and 11 p.m., seven days per week
- You must use clean wood not yard waste
- Have no flammable ground cover within 1 metre and be at least 5 metres away from any property line, fence, building or structure, tree or hedge, road, overhead wire, or any other flammable item
- Please watch where your smoke travels to avoid disturbing your neighbours
- For more information, visit: Bylaw guide | City of Kitchener
City of Waterloo — Fire Bylaw:
- Backyard recreational fires are NOT allowed. The City of Waterloo’s Open Air Fire Bylaw states “No person shall set or maintain an open air fire using solid fuel…”
- For more information, visit: Open Air Fire Bylaw | City of Waterloo
City of Cambridge — Fire Bylaws:
- Residents must obtain a burn permit for fires not used for cooking
- Permit cost is $92.52 for 30 days and renewal burn permits cost $77.71
- For more information, visit: Fire Prevention & Burn Permits | City of Cambridge
Township of Wellesley — Fire Bylaw:
- Small recreational fires are allowed in approved fire pits
- A burn permit is required, cost is $52 for one month
- The Fire Chief, Deputy Chief or District Chief will visit the location and inspect the burn pile and what is to be burnt. The Fire Officer will issue a permit for a set amount of time or may refuse if the pile contains items not allowed to be burned
- Permits will be issued to burn clean dry wood only and permits will be issued to small piles only. No pile larger than 15 feet (4.5 metres) in diameter and eight feet (2.4 metres) high
- Fire must be supervised at all times
- Sufficient water/other fire retardant equipment must be readily available to keep fire under control
- Permits are issued for day light hours only. Additionally, permits are void on smog days or when weather conditions such as wind, fog, lack of rain, dry grass or other conditions make open-air burning unsafe
- Fire must be extinguished immediately if smoke interferes with neighbours or by order of the Fire Chief
- For more information, visit: Burn Permits and Open Air Burning | Township of Wellesley
Township of Wilmot — Fire Bylaw:
- A recreational fire and/or open air burn permit is required for backyard fires
- The cost varies based on your property size and zoning
- Recreational fire permits come with an annual permit fee of $20, while the open air burn permit is $45 for a 30-day duration
- Pay close attention to the Terms and Conditions associated with each type of permit to ensure you are in compliance
- For more information, visit: Burn Permits | Township of Wilmot
Residents are advised to check with their local municipality for the most up-to-date regulations to ensure compliance with any fire bans in place.
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