SAFE BURNING TIPS

1. Burn at a safe time, never on dry or windy days.
2. Keep your burning job small enough that you always keep it under control.
3. Have appropriate and adequate extinguishment and tools available at burn location.
4. Never leave the fire unattended until it is dead out, no ambers, coals or hot ashes.
5. Familiarize yourself with relevant by-laws and regulations.

By-Law-2025-21-Establishing-and-Regulating-the-Fire-Department.pdf

REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS

The Municipality may issue written burn permits to authorized applicants, permitting a responsible person to burn approved materials between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm between the dates of April 1st to October 31st under the
following conditions:

A responsible person is available and in attendance at all times until the fire is completely extinguished.

The material is burned in a single pile that is less than two (2) meters in diameter and less than two (2) meters high.

Fire must be at least 3 meters from combustible materials, property lines, buildings, fences, trees and roadways.

Only burn wood or by-products of wood, not burn noxious materials.

The person tending the fire has tools and/or extinguishing agent adequate to contain and completely extinguish the fire.

The fire must be completely extinguished before the burn site is vacated.

All burn permits are suspended during a fire ban.

Burn permits must be approved by the Fire Chief or Designate prior to open air fire commencing. An inspection of the burn site may be required prior to burn permit approval.

Burn permits may have additional restrictions as imposed by the Fire Chief or Designate.

Burn permits will be in effect for 3 days.

Burn permits are not transferable. Only the Person or Persons to whom the Burn Permit has been issued or such other Person or Persons as has been designated on the Burn Permit shall be permitted to burn and such Persons must be present at the burn site at all times until the fire has been completely
extinguished.

Every person and property owner who applies for and receives a Burn Permit acknowledges having read and understood the rules specified in this By-law and assumes all responsibility and liability in connection with the open-air fire burning
Permit.

A Burn Permit may be cancelled without refund or suspended at any time by the Chief Fire Official and immediately upon receiving of such cancellation or Suspension, the permit holder shall extinguish any fire started under the permit.

Fees associated with obtaining a burn permit are payable to the Township of Limerick.

The fee for a burn permit is $25.00 per permit. Permit applications must be submitted to the Fire Chief or Designate during working hours, Monday Thursday from 8:00am-4:00pm.

The Township of Limerick assumes NO LIABILITY for any fire for which a Permit is or is not issued for. The Permitee shall assume full liability for any fire set.

FOREST FIRE PREVENTION ACT R.S.O. 1990 c.F. 24

For more information: Forest Fires Prevention Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24 | ontario.ca

The Forest Fire Protection Act (FFPA) is a law in Ontario that is designed to protect life, property, and forest resources by preventing and controlling forest fires.  Enacted under the Revised Statutes of Ontario, this Act outlines the legal responsibilities of individuals, businesses, and government agencies when it comes to activities that could ignite or influence the spread of wildfires.

Key Purposes of the FFPA:

Prevent Forest Fires

The Act regulates outdoor fires to reduce the risk of wildfires, especially in fire-prone areas like northern and rural Ontario. This includes:

• When and where outdoor fires are allowed

• What materials can be burned

• Fire safety rules that must be followed

Protect People and Property

Wildfires can pose a major threat to human lives, homes, and infrastructure. The Act ensures that burning practices are done safely and that the public and emergency services are not put at unnecessary risk.

Protect Forest Resources

Ontario’s forests are valuable ecological and economic resources. The FFPA helps preserve:

• Timber and forestry assets

• Wildlife habitats

• Biodiversity and ecological balance

Assign Responsibility

The Act makes it clear that individuals or companies who start fires—even unintentionally—can be held responsible for fire suppression costs and any damage caused. This encourages careful, responsible behavior.

Support Enforcement and Firefighting

The FFPA gives forest fire officials (such as those in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry – MNRF):

• The authority to investigate fires

• The power to restrict fire use (e.g., impose fire bans)

• The ability to recover costs from those who violate the law

O. REG. 207/96: OUTDOOR FIRES

For more information: O. Reg. 207/96 OUTDOOR FIRES | ontario.ca

Ontario Regulation 207/96: Outdoor Fires is a regulation under the Forest Fires Prevention Act (FFPA), R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, and its primary purpose is to establish specific rules and conditions for outdoor burning in Ontario’s fire region, especially during the fire season (April 1 to October 31).

Main Purpose of the Regulation

To prevent wildfires by:

• Controlling when, where, and how outdoor fires can occur.

• Setting minimum safety standards for burning.

• Providing a legal framework for fire bans, burn permits, and enforcement.

Time Restrictions

• Open-air burning (like brush or debris fires) is only allowed between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., unless you have a permit.

• This helps avoid burning during hot, dry, windy daytime hours, when fires are more likely to spread.

Material Restrictions

• Only clean, dry wood or brush may be burned.

• Prohibited materials include garbage, plastics, and treated wood — these are not only dangerous but pollute the air and may lead to uncontrolled fires.

Burn Pile Size Limits

• Maximum pile size: 2 meters wide x 2 meters high.

• Only one pile at a time may be burned, unless permitted otherwise.

• A safe clearance zone (at least 3 meters around the fire) is required to prevent spread.

Supervision and Extinguishing

• Fires must be constantly attended by a capable adult until completely out.

• You must have tools and water on hand to control or extinguish the fire.

Campfires and Cooking Fires

• Campfires for cooking or warmth are allowed if:

  • The fire is small (less than 1 meter in size).

  • It is supervised.

  • Safe practices are followed (e.g., not under overhanging branches).

Fire Bans / Restricted Fire Zones

• The regulation allows the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to declare Restricted Fire Zones (RFZs) during high-risk periods.

• In RFZs, all outdoor fires are banned, except under special permits or exemptions.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is a provincial government agency in Ontario responsible for managing and protecting the province’s natural resources. This includes Ontario’s forests, fish and wildlife, water systems, and public lands.

• Oversees the prevention, detection, and suppression of wildfires in Ontario’s fire region (northern and central parts of the province).

• Issues Restricted Fire Zones (RFZs) and supports municipalities in managing outdoor burning.

• Provides public education, emergency response, and coordination with local fire departments (like Limerick Township Fire).

MNRF FOREST FIRE INTERACTIVE MAP: Forest Fire Info Map (gov.on.ca)