Residents reminded that open air burning is prohibited in urban areas

North Bay Fire & Emergency Services
News Release

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North Bay Fire & Emergency Services: With the warm weather upon us North Bay Fire and Emergency Services have responded to several complaints regarding unlawful Open Air Burning.

“We remind residents that open air burning is prohibited in the urban area but permitted in the rural area by permit only, said Chief Fire Prevention Officer Randy Vezina. “These restrictions on open air burning also apply to outdoor wood burning appliances, such as chimineas and outdoor fireplaces.”

Manufactured outdoor fireplaces and chimineas have become a popular item for retailers and homeowners. Unfortunately, the units rarely come with an instruction book on common sense precautions. Most retailers also fail to inform the customer that use of chimineas is prohibited in most areas.

These devices present a potential fire hazard to combustibles such as decks, patio furnishings and fences, and have been responsible for several fires across Ontario. The smoke and odours produced by the units are the primary reasons the fire department receives complaints. Propane or charcoal fueled appliances are permitted.
Anyone in the outlying, more rural areas of the city may be approved for open air burning provided a permit is obtained and all fire safety precautions are practiced. Two types of permits are available.

Recreational Burn Permit
Conditions:
• Confined to an area no less than 15 meters from any building, structure or combustible article.
• Shall burn only clean, dry seasoned wood.
• Permitted only between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
• A small fire contained in a fire pit surrounded by non-combustible material.
• Fires must be attended to at all times.
• Have on hand equipment to extinguish the fire if necessary.
• Do not burn when wind conditions may cause smoke to be a nuisance to your neighbours.
Brush Burn (replacing Commercial Burning Permit)
Conditions:
• Confined to an area no less than 20 meters from any building, structure or combustible article.
• In a pile not greater than 2 meters high and 2 meters in diameter.
• Limited to burning clean brush or dead organic material.
• Not to include household or commercial waste, tires, plastics, roofing or other building materials and waste.
• Supervised by 2 persons at all times.
• Permitted during daylight hours only.
• Have on hand equipment to extinguish the fire if necessary.
• Do not burn when wind conditions may cause smoke to be a nuisance to your neighbours.

For either type of fire, the dispatch office must be notified each time you light a fire.

Fees:
Recreational Burn Permit
• $20.00 week
• $80.00 annual/expires December 31st of that calendar year.

Brush Burn Permit
• $105.00 week
• $130.00 month
• $230.00 annual/expires December 31st of that calendar year.


Enforcement:

Refusal to comply with these conditions or where an Enforcement Officer has a safety concern, the Enforcement Officer may immediately suspend or revoke the Permit. Where North Bay Fire and Emergency Services responds to or inspects an open air fire that is not in compliance, a set fine may be imposed as well as a fee of $410.00/hr for each fire truck that responds.


Working to make North Bay a fire safe community!

For more information please contact North Bay Fire & Emergency Services at 705-474-0626 ext. 4834

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