Open Air Burning and Permits

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.

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.