Can I burn today in Central Frontenac?

Universal permit requirement

No person shall set, light, ignite, or maintain an open air fire, or permit an open air fire to be set, lit, ignited or maintained, at any time, without first obtaining a permit.

Daytime hours restriction, April 1 - October 31

During the period from April 1st to October 31st no person shall set, light, ignite or maintain an open air fire, or permit an open air fire to be set, light, ignited or maintained, no sooner than 2 hours before sunset, and the fire must be extinguished no later than 2 hours after sunrise. A campfire in an approved fire pit may be permitted outside the time limits noted in this paragraph provided it is for cooking purposes only.

Winter period — permit still required, no time restriction

During the period between November 1st and March 31st no person shall set, light, ignite or maintain an Open Air Fire, or permit an Open Air Fire to be set, light, ignited or maintained without first obtaining a valid fire permit but there are no time restrictions during this period.

Burn Ban levels

The Fire Chief may, by written declaration published on the Township website and in any other media he/she chooses, declare a total or partial fire ban for the Township. The Fire Chief may declare any of the following: (i) “Burn Ban Off”= all types of burning permitted with a proper permit. (ii) “Burn Ban Level 1 = burning restricted to incinerators and campfires. (iii) “Burn Ban Level 2 = burning restricted to campfires only. (iv) “Total Burn Ban” = Total ban on all types of open air burning including fireworks.

Approved Fire Pit / campfire size definition

Approved Fire Pit a) A pit dug into the ground or made from stones, masonry, steel or other fire resistant material used for the purposes of containing a recreational fire of which the interior dimensions shall be no larger than one meter by one meter(3 feet by 3 feet) and; b) Above-ground pre-manufactured chimeneas and other like receptacles designed and constructed for the purposes of containing a small recreational fire. Campfire means a small open air fire surrounded by an elevated non-combustible perimeter, measuring no more one meter by one meter (3 feet by 3 feet)

Campfire conditions

Where a campfire is permitted, every person who ignites or causes or permits a campfire to be ignited shall comply with the following requirements: (i) The purpose of the open air burning is for cooking only; (ii) The site of the fire is bare rock or other non-combustible material. (iii) The fire is at least one metre from any flammable material. (iv) The space above the one metre area around the fire is at least three metres from vegetation. (v) The fire does not exceed one metre in height and one metre in diameter. (vi) The open air burning is supervised at all times by a Competent Person; (vii) Flame height shall not exceed 60 cm (2 ft); and (viii) There are adequate materials available to extinguish the fire at all times.

Brush/yard waste fire conditions

Where a brush/yard waste open air fire is permitted every person who ignites or causes or permits a brush/yard waste open air fire to be ignited shall comply with the following requirements: (i) A permit must be obtained in advance of the burning; (ii) The permit holder must contact the Fire Department by telephone to report their burning each time as indicated on the burn permit; (iii) Only clean, dry and untreated wood, brush and leaves are to be burned; (iv) Recyclable products such as paper and plastics shall not be burned; (v) Burning of refuse and synthetic products is strictly forbidden; (vi) Brush/yard waste piles material is burned in a single pile that is less than 2m in diameter and less than 2 metres in height; (vii) Brush yard waste piles shall be at least 6m (20 ft.) from any combustibles and 15m (50’) from any forested area, building, utility pole/service, or property line; and (viii) The flame height shall not exceed 3m(10’) (ix) Burning must take place during the times set out in paragraphs 1 or 2 as applicable.

Incinerator fire conditions

Incinerator fires shall comply with the following requirements: (i) shall be at least 3m (10 ft.) from any combustible material and 15m (50 ft.) from any property line or forested area. (ii) Only clean wood, brush, leaves or discarded wood by-product may be burned; (iii) The incinerator must meet the structural requirements set out in the definitions above, including a mesh screen to act as spark arrestor

Permit application and fee

An applicant for a permit must complete the prescribed form to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief and pay all applicable fees as set out in Schedule “B”. ... All permits are required and are in effect from the date purchased until December 31 of that year. The fees for this permit are set out in Schedule “C”.

Fee schedule (Schedule B)

Campfire permit - $5.00 per season. Incinerator permit-$10.00 per season. Brush/yard waste pile permit - $10.00 per season** Must notify the Fire Department as per the approved permit**.

Administrative Monetary Penalty

At the discretion of the Fire Chief, any person who breaches any provision of this By-law may be issued an Administrative Monetary Penalty Notice in an amount not to exceed $500.00.