Open Burning

Cheat Sheet to Burn Bylaw in Ships Point Fire Protection Area

Open Air Fires - Campfires or Backyard Burns

  • Defined as an outdoor fire not contained in a fire pit or authorized outdoor fireplace
  • Person igniting, permitting, or maintaining an Open Air Fire shall take following precautions:
    • No burning during windy periods
    • Light material that could fly away while on fire must be covered by heavier material or held down by a wire mesh while being burned
    • No burning within 5 meters (16 ft) of any flammable material
    • Fire must be attended and safeguarded at all times by at least one adult
    • Charged hose and shovel are to be on fire site and available for immediate use
    • Maximum fire size is 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters by 1 meter high (4.5’ by 4.5’ by 3’ high)
    • Responsible to immediately contact Fire Department thru 911 should fire escape
    • Shall ensure fire is fully extinguished before leaving the area
  • A person may ignite and maintain a fire outside of Fire Season (15 Apr - 15 Oct) without a Burning Permit, but must do so in accordance with the above requirements
  • No person shall permit any Open Air Fire to be ignited during Fire Season (15 Apr - 15 Oct) unless they have first obtained a signed Burning Permit
  • No Burning Permits will be issued once Fire Danger Rating (FDR) has reached High

Wood-burning Fire Pits

  1. Commercially available fire pits:
  • Fires are permitted in commercially available fire pits where the non-combustible spark arrestor has openings not greater than 1/4 inch by 3/8 inch in size
  • In the case of ‘bowl type’ commercially available fire pits, the hemispheric spark arrestor shall be placed over the fire at all times, except when burnable material is being added to the fire
    • The person igniting, permitting, or maintaining a fire pit fire shall take following precautions: o No burning to be done during windy periods
    • No burning to be done within 3 meters (10 ft) of any flammable material
    • Fire must be attended and safeguarded at all times by at least one adult person
    • Charged hose and shovel are to be immediately available
  • Fires in commercial fire pits are not permitted when the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme, or where there is a total burning ban
  1. Non-commercial or homemade fire pits:
  • The same restrictions and cautions noted above for commercial fire pits apply to non-commercial units as well
  • In addition, the unit must be inspected and authorized by the Fire Chief each season, and an Open Burning Fire Pit Permit obtained prior to use
  • Depending on type of construction and safety features, an Open Burning permit for the fire pit may be issued for the entire fire season
  • Fires in non-commercial fire pits are not permitted when the Fire Danger Rating is High or Extreme, or where there is a total burning ban
Danger Rating Impacts