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Open Air Burning and Permits

Learn when you do and do not need to obtain burn permit.

Fires that do not require a burn permit. 

Cooking Fires

Small, confined fires that are supervised at all times and used to cook food on a grill or barbecue are permitted in the County of Brant, with no call or fee required.

Recreational Fires

Recreational burning is permitted with no call or fee required when:

  • The fire is contained in a fire pit which is no more than one square meter in area
  • The fire is at least 15 meters from any building, structure, hedge, fence, roadway and/or property line

Planning to have a campfire this weekend? 

  • Find a spot that is sheltered from the wind
  • Build your fire on a non-combustible surface - preferably in a metal ring or surrounded by stones or blocks
  • Build your fire at least 15 metres away from any combustible materials, fences, property lines or buildings
  • Make sure the space above the fire is at least 3 metres from overhanging branches and vegetation

Prepare the site

  • Clear a space about 2 metres wide for the fire
  • Scrape the area right down to the mineral soil
  • Ensure you have a pail of water or garden hose, and a shovel to control the fire

Build your campfire

  • Keep your fire small to a maximum of one metre high and one metre wide
  • Small fires are safer, easier to control and put out
  • A small fire will also keep cooking tools from blackening and let you get close enough to cook

Stay nearby:

  • Never leave a fire unattended
  • You are responsible for tending your campfire, ensuring it is kept under control, and for putting it out

Put the fire out:

  • Pour lots of water on the campfire
  • Stir the ashes with a stick
  • Pour more water over top of the campfire
  • Stir the ashes with a stick again and repeat until:
    • the ashes are cold to the touch
    • the ashes don't hiss
    • the ashes look soaked
    • no more smoke comes from the ashes

Safety tips for kids:

  • Always ensure children are with an adult when they are around a fire
  • Always make sure small children are at least 1m away from the fire
  • Never allow children to play with matches or fireworks
  • Teach your children to tell an adult immediately if they see a fire burning out of control

View and share the Open Air Burning infographic.

Fires that require a burn permit. 

Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Semi-Annual Burn Permit

You can apply for a semi-annual permit to burn materials for commercial, industrial and/or institutional purposes. Contact us to apply for a permit. 

Residential or Agricultural Burn Permit 

Residential and Agriculture burns that do not meet the criteria of recreational burning above, must be approved by the Fire Chief. 

To apply for a Residential / Agricultural Burn Permit, fill out the Non Recreational Residential / Agricultural Burn Permit Application online. 

Single Occasion Burn Permit and Special Event Permits 

Large farm-type fires, brush/ ginseng shades/ kilns and special event permits must be approved by the Fire Chief. They also require a fee to be paid before the burn.

To apply for a Single Occasion Burn Permit or a Special Event Permit, fill out the  Fee Based Burn Permit Application online.

Open air burning is regulated in the County of Brant by our Open Air Burning Bylaw (PDF).

County of Brant Fire 

Visit: 61 Dundas Street East, Paris, Ontario N3L 3H1
T: 9.1.1. (emergency)
T. 519.442.4500 (non-emergency)
TF. 1.866.847.5416

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