Can I burn today in Chatham-Kent?

Permit required (Section 2.1)

No person shall set or maintain a Non-Exempt Open-Air Fire without first obtaining a Burn Permit from the Chief Fire Official or designate and written permission from the property owner.

Campfire definition (Section 1.10)

“Campfire” means a fire area no larger than 1 metre x 1 metre in diameter, and contained within a non-combustible barrier.

Setback (Section 2.8)

No Person shall set or maintain a Non-Exempt Open-Air Fire within 7.5 metres (25 feet) of any Building, structure, fence, Combustible Material or property line.

Weather/wind conditions (Section 2.12)

No Person shall set or maintain a Non-Exempt Open-Air Fire where the following conditions exist: fog, rain, smog or air quality alerts, Burn Bans, and winds exceeding 30 kilometres (20 miles)per hour or winds blowing in a direction that will have a negative impact on neighbours or on the safety of motorists on roadways and/or highways.

Recreational fire size (Section 3.1(d))

The area designated for the fire is not more than one (1) square metre in any horizontal dimension and the flame is not more than 92 centimetres (36 inches) in height or contained within a pit specifically designed for Open-Air burning and has an Effective Barrier to prevent the spread of fire surrounding the container or pit.

Agricultural fire sizing (Section 4.2(a))

Limited in size to 149 square metres (1600 square feet) in area and 6 metres (approximately 20 feet) in height.

Permit validity (Section 6.1(f))

An expiry date shall be indicated on the Burn Permit. In no case shall a Burn Permit have an expiry date of longer than one (1) year after the date of issue. The expiry date on a Burn Permit shall not be extended due to any suspension.

Fees deferred to User Fee By-law (Section 6.1(g))

Burn Permit fees as outlined in the Municipal User Fee By-law shall form part of this By-law.

Automatic suspension – smog/air quality alert (Section 6.1(i))

All valid Burn Permits are automatically suspended on any day when there is a smog advisory or an air quality alert issued for that day by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

Automatic suspension – wind (Section 6.1(j))

All valid Burn Permits are automatically suspended during such periods and in such areas where gusting or sustained wind speeds exceed 30 kilometres per hour (approximately 20 miles per hour) or where wind directions are changing frequently.

Automatic suspension – Burn Ban / FWI (Section 6.1(k))

All valid Burning Permits are automatically suspended during such periods and in such areas where the Chief Fire Official or designate has determined that there exists a High or Extreme Fire Weather Index (FWI) or other hazardous conditions and declares a “Burn Ban”.

Cost recovery for response (Section 10.3)

If a contravention of this By-law results in CKFES personnel and vehicles being dispatched to the property, the property owner may be invoiced at the discretion of the Chief Fire Official or designate for the cost of the response in accordance with the Municipality’s User Fee By-law.