Backyard fire season: learn before you burn!
Backyard fire season is upon us. Here’s what you need to know before you burn.
A permit is required to light any type of fire on private property, including brush fires, backyard fires, masonry or metal fireplaces, or large fire pits. To find out if our are eligible for a permit, use the City’s address look-up tool.
In addition to a valid permit, you must ensure you follow the accompanying rules and regulations each and every time you burn. Even if a resident is in an area where they are eligible for a burn permit, and they have received that permit, all residents must be in compliance with all requirements set out in the Open Air Fire By-law. The Fire Chief may revoke a permit if dangerous conditions exist or if the permit holder fails to comply with the requirements of the permit or by-law.
Moreover, even those with a permit who comply with the by-law must ensure that there is no burn ban in effect. A fire ban is declared by the Fire Chief and is based largely on environmental conditions, ensuring public safety and the protection of property.
Types of Permits
Annual open air fire permit allows you to have a campfire less than 60cm in width by 50cm in height, use an outdoor fireplace, and burn large piles of untreated wood, tree limbs and branches up to 3 metres in length, width and height (daylight hours only).
Annual restricted open air fire permit allows you to have a campfire less than 60 cm in width and 50 cm in height, and use an outdoor fireplace. Burning larger piles of untreated wood, tree limbs and branches are limited to daylight hours between December 1 and March 31 of the following year.
Annual agricultural open air fire permit is available to operators of a farm business and can include up to 4 properties under one permit (farm business registration number is required). This permit allows you to have a campfire less than 60cm in width by 50cm in height, use an outdoor fireplace, and burn large piles of untreated wood, tree limbs and branches up to 3 metres in length, width and height (daylight hours only). You can also burn windrows as part of normal farm practices for clearing agricultural land. Windrow material to be burned cannot exceed 50 m in length, 5 m in width and 3 m in height and must consist solely of wood, tree limbs and branches.
Please note: Specific clearances from buildings, hedges, fences, overhead wiring or highways are detailed on each permit and in the Open Air Fire By-Law.
Some important items to note:
· Wait 24 hours after the purchase of a new permit to allow the permit to be updated in the OFS communications centre system before starting an open-air fire.
· Be aware of your permit number to report your open-air fire to Ottawa Fire Services.
· Be able to produce your permit upon request, as stipulated by the by-law.
· Contact Ottawa Fire Services at 613-580-2880 to ensure that a fire ban is not in effect.
· For campfires and outdoor fireplaces, you will be asked to follow the conditions and regulations within your permit.
· For burning wood in any other form, such as brush piles, you will be asked to report the open-air fire as well as the permit number. You will then be provided with a reference number. This helps reduce the number of false alarms, such as unexpected responses to your home by Ottawa Fire Services.
Resources:
Address lookup: https://ottawa.ca/en/health-and-public-safety/ottawa-fire-services/open-air-fire-permit#section-d4d74501-4674-4699-9bf3-1dc3e6f8c3f9
Information and permit application: https://ottawa.ca/en/health-and-public-safety/ottawa-fire-services/open-air-fire-permit/open-air-fire-permit-burn-permit#section-0ba49209-60b8-48c2-9075-26bfb0ba690b
Learn more about the by-law: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/laws-licences-and-permits/laws/laws-z/open-air-fire-law-no-2004-163