There are four types of open air fires permitted in different parts of our municipality as outlined in the Open air fire by-law. 

Campfires

Campfires are fires without a screened mesh cover and:

  • are prohibited at all times on non-waterfront properties within the urban restricted zone;
  • require a seasonal permit for waterfront properties within the urban restricted zone, rural areas, and other non-restricted zones

They must:

  • have a burn area less than 76 cm (30 in) wide;
  • have a burn area less than 60 cm (24 in) high;
  • be set on and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
  • be separated from grass and any other materials that can catch fire by at least 50cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another non-combustible product;
  • be at least 5 m (15 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
  • have at least 5 m (15 ft) of open airspace above it;
  • only be used for cooking food, providing warmth and recreational enjoyment

Screened fire pits

Screened fire pits are different from campfires because they are completely covered by a heavy metal screen to stop sparks and embers from escaping. They are permitted in all parts of the municipality and require a:

They must:

  • be contained in a constructed fire pit (e.g. a circular pit such as a rim);
  • have a burning area less than 75 cm (29.5 in) wide;
  • be covered by spark arresting heavy metal screen with openings no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
  • rest on/in and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
  • be separated from grass and any material that can catch fire by a distance of at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another non-combustible product;
  • be at least 3 m (10 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
  • have at least 3 m (10 ft) of open airspace above it;
  • only be used for cooking food, providing warmth and recreational enjoyment

Screened outdoor fireplaces

Screened outdoor fireplaces are a manufactured container made of noncombustible materials and are used to burn wood for decorative purposes, e.g. chimneys. They are permitted in all areas of our municipality and require a:

They must:

  • be smaller than 76 cm (30 in) tall, wide or deep;
  • be completely covered by a spark arresting heavy metal screen with openings no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
  • be set on and ringed by a non-combustible material;
  • be separated from grass and any other items that can catch on fire by at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another noncombustible medium;
  • be at least 3 m (10 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
  • have at least 3 m (10 ft) of open airspace above it

Burn barrels

Burn barrels are non-combustible, enclosed container barrels used to burn small branches and pieces of wood. They:

  • are prohibited at all times on non-waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone;
  • require a seasonal permit on waterfront properties in the urban restricted zone, on rural, and non-restricted properties

They must:

  • be clean and free from chemical contamination;
  • be less than 76 cm (30 in) wide;
  • be less than 88 cm (35in) tall;
  • be in good condition;
  • be completely covered on top by a spark arresting heavy metal screen with holes no bigger than 1.3 cm (0.5 in);
  • have ventilation holes in the side which are smaller than 1.3 cm (0.5 in) or covered in a spark arresting mesh;
  • sit on and be ringed by a non-combustible material;
  • must be separated from grass and any other vegetation or combustible material by at least 50 cm (18 in) of clean earth, sand, gravel or another noncombustible medium;
  • be at least 5 m (15 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc.;
  • have at least 5 m (15 ft) of open airspace above it

Fires in an uncovered burn barrel have the same rules and requirements as campfires.

Contact Us

Clarence-Rockland Fire Department

burnpermits@clarence-rockland.com

613-446-6022