Fire & Emergency Services

Open Air Burning

An Open-Air Burning By-law (102-2021) has been established for the purpose of enabling and regulating open air fires throughout the Town.

There are three types of fires permitted in the Town:

A recreational fire is commonly referred to as a campfire. It must be contained within a non-combustible burning device with a burn area no larger than 2 feet (61 cm) x 2 feet (61 cm) x 2 feet (61 cm) (eg. a tire rim).

The rules that must be followed are:

  • Only burn clean, dry wood or commercially produced charcoal or briquettes.
  • The wood must be smaller than the burning device.
  • Clearance around the burning device must be a minimum of 13 feet (4 meters) in all directions from structures, objects and neighbouring properties.
  • Extinguish when unattended/done.

A recreational fire in the By-law is referenced in section 2.3 “Recreational Open Air Burning”

A recreational fire or campfire does not require a permit.

A non-recreational fire does not require a permit if the fire is less than 2 meters x 2 meters.

You may not have a non-recreational fire if your property is zoned:

  • Un-Serviced Detached Residential—R1A
  • Service Detached Residential—R1B
  • Resort Residential—R2
  • Low Density Multi Family Residential—R3
  • Medium Density Multi Family Residential — R4

If you are unsure of your property zoning you can look it up on Bruce County’s Interactive Map or call 519-534-1400 x 147

  • Clearance around the fire must be a minimum of 33 feet (10 m) in all directions from structures, objects and neighbouring properties.
  • The fire may only burn between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Never after dark.

A Non-Recreational fire in the By-law is referenced in section 3.1 “Non recreational open air burning”

Permit cost is $25 (tax incl.)

You may not have a non-recreational fire if your property is zoned:

  • Un-Serviced Detached Residential—R1A
  • Service Detached Residential—R1B
  • Resort Residential—R2
  • Low Density Multi Family Residential—R3
  • Medium Density Multi Family Residential — R4

If you are unsure of your property zoning you can look it up on Bruce County’s Interactive Map or call 519-534-1400 x 147. If you are going to have a fire larger than 2 meters x 2 meters you must apply for a permit at the Town of South Bruce Peninsula office located at 315 George St., Wiarton.

A permit application must be submitted a minimum of 1 week prior to the requested burn day. A site plan must be provided and a permit application must be completed.

A site inspection may be required at the discretion of the Fire Chief.

Rules for all fires in South Bruce Peninsula

  • Do not burn during a fire ban. Check our news and notice to see if there is a fire ban in place.
  • Do not burn if there is wind (20 km per hour+), rain, fog or smog
  • Do not let smoke affect your neighbours
  • Do not let smoke blow across roadways
  • Have a fire extinguisher large enough to put out the fire must be immediately available
  • Fires must be supervised and controlled by an adult at all times
  • Fires must be completely extinguished before leaving the area

For questions, please email Emergency Services or call 519-534-1400X136

The South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department may order you to extinguish a fire at any time. You must obey their direction. If the fire has to extinguished by the Fire Department, you will be responsible for any and all costs associated.

If you violate the Open-Air Burning By-law (102-2021) you may be guilty of an offence and could face a penalty.