Burn Permits

What type of burn permits are available?

There are three types of permits available:

• Recreational Burning (urban and rural)
• Brush Pile Burning (rural only)
• Land Clearing Burning (rural only)

Know the rules and what qualifies

All permits have specific terms and conditions that must be met before being approved. See the Burn By-Law for specifics such as minimum distances from structures, property lines, base size and more.  Save yourself time and disappointment by ensuring your request for a permit meets these requirements before getting started.

How do I know if there is a Burn Ban in effect?

• Burn ban notices will appear on our website, the burn permit portal and in the local media.
• These burn bans are for your safety and we ask that you follow them.
• Those having a fire during a burn ban can be fined and will also be responsible for the costs of all work performed.

What happens when someone makes a Burn Complaint?

• Guidelines for all burning are included on your burn permit.
• When Fire and Emergency Services responds to complaints about burning and they find you are not following these rules, you will be charged for the services used to respond to the complaint. We also have the right to revoke your burn permit, if necessary. First attendance at a non-compliant fire will result in a fee of $100, second attendance $500, each subsequent attendance in a 6-month period the fee will increase $500.
• Be a good neighbour and make sure that smoke from your burn is not drifting on to others' property. Your neighbours have a right to complain about your burn if the smoke is causing an issue on their property. 
• If you need to file a burn complaint, please dial 9-1-1 to reach our dispatch and it will be addressed accordingly.

Burning safety

Important reminders for residents:

• All residents require an approved burn permit before burning
• Even with a valid burn permit, it is your responsibility to check if a Burn Ban is in affect before burning

Guidelines for a safe outdoor burn:

• Burn during the coolest, dampest and calmest time of the day.
• Check your burn permit for required distances from structures, roads, property lines and other flammable vegetation
• Make sure burn area is surrounded by a fire break boundary, such as a road, wet ditch or ploughed ground.
• A responsible adult must always be present to tend the fire, keep it under control, and extinguish it before leaving the site.
• Keep adequate tools, machinery and water on hand to control the fire if it begins to spread.
• If the fire starts to spread beyond the burn pile, call 9-1-1 immediately.