Open Burn Permits
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations that surround open burning.
How do I obtain permission to burn?
Please allow 24 hours notice before expecting to burn. Advanced notice is required to allow for inspection and authorization. Permits are free!
- Online: https://ek.burnpermits.com
- Toll Free: 1-844-749-2876
- Main Fire Station: 613-498-2460
Remember – if the Fire Department is called and no authorization has been obtained, you are liable to pay costs for the Fire Department and/or charged under the Ontario Fire Code, or both.
Regardless of authorization, the person that starts the fire is responsible for any effect that fire or smoke may have on neighbouring persons or property.
What can I burn?
Twigs and branches, leaves and other natural debris from your property. Open burning may only be performed with the permission of the Fire Department and in compliance with the following rules and regulations.
Open Burning Regulations & Guidelines
Revised July 2017.
- ONTARIO FIRE CODE 2.4.4.4., Open Air Burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
- Administration office hours are from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. For an inspection and an approval, a twenty-four hour notice is required.
- The person requesting permission for Open Burning assumes full responsibility for conducting Open Burning in accordance with the following safety measures and common sense:
- No person shall set or maintain an open fire between sunset and sunrise.
- All open fires must be attended to at all times by a sufficient number of competent persons, and must have on hand sufficient equipment to keep the fire under control.
- No open fire is to be located within 150 metres (492 ft) of any structure, unless the material to be burned is one cubic yard or less in volume.
- No open fire is to be maintained when the wind is in such a direction as to cause a decrease in visibility on any traveled road or any odour to such extent or degree as cause adverse effect to persons living in the affected area.
- No open fire is to be started on days of adverse weather, or other conditions that prevents the ready dispersion of smoke.
- Materials to be burned must not include petroleum products, plastics, rubber or other materials that create excessive smoke or environmental damage.
NOTE: Failure to comply with any provisions of this article may result in you having your privilege revoked, or being charged under current Ministry of Transportation rate (in excess of $559.86) per hour for each responding vehicle, or all the above.
It must be recognized that open burning can cause air pollution. Smoke and odours from open fires can aggravate respiratory conditions, soil property, reduce visibility and generally lessen the enjoyment of property. Section 14 of the Environmental Protection Act reads, in part, “Despite any provisions of this Act or the Regulations, no person shall discharge a contaminant or cause or permit the discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment that causes or is likely to cause an adverse effect”. Never burn plastics, rubber materials, synthetic materials, or house hold refuse.
Where adverse effect by definition means one or more of,
- Impairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that it can be made of,
- Injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life,
- Harm or material discomfort to any person,
- Adverse effect on any person,
- Impairment of the safety of any person,
- Rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for use by man,
- Loss of enjoyment or normal use of property, and
- Interference with the normal conduct of business.
Incinerators and Burn Barrels
Burning in an incinerator is permitted without notification, when all the following conditions have been met, unless a Fire Ban has been imposed by the Chief Fire Official or his/her designate. Check https://ek.burnpermits.com/ for the current fire risk level, or telephone the fire department at 498-2460 for information.
- Use a metal barrel that is in good condition.
- Use a heavy noncombustible screen on top of the incinerator – mesh size should be less than 12.7mm (1/2″).
- Weight the screen with a rock or brick to prevent it from falling off the incinerator.
- Keep a shovel, rake and water readily available at all times.
- The incinerator site should be a minimum of five metres (16′) from any combustibles. (Trees, overhanging branches, buildings, overhead utility lines).
- The incinerator site should be cleared down to the mineral soil (sand/gravel) at least 2 metres (61/2′) from the sides of the incinerator in all directions.
- Never leave your fire, even for a short time, unattended. A fire can quickly grow out of control in seconds and can cause great damage. Every person who starts a fire out doors must:
- Make sure a responsible person is watching the fire at all times.
- Extinguish the fire before leaving the site for any period time. (Even for a minute)
- Plan to burn during the coolest, dampest, and calmest time of day. Fire is more likely to get out of control on a hot dry day.
NEVER START A FIRE IN YOUR INCINERATOR
- ON A WINDY DAY
- BEFORE DAWN
- OR AFTER DUSK
Contact Us
Elizabethtown-Kitley Fire Department
Administrative Assistant Holly Dunster
Mail:
Fire Department
6544 New Dublin Rd
RR 2 Addison, ON K0E 1A0
Phone: 613-498-2460
Fax: 613-342-2358
Email: fireadmin@ektwp.ca
Stop By:
Station No. 1
44 Main Street East, Lyn
Open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.