Lakeshore Fire Department

Open Air Burning

Currently the Town of Lakeshore does not have an open air burning bylaw in place to deal with the wide range of open air fires that could occur throughout the municipality. We are then mandated to apply the Ontario Fire Code to any open air burning.

Under the Ontario Fire Code, section 2.6.3.4 states "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".

Translation - no one is allowed to have an open air fire unless they call the fire department and request a permit for an open burn. At that time the fire department will take your name, address, phone number and ask what you are burning. This is necessary as we do not allow all types of materials to be burnt. In addition, no permit is required for a small contained fire being supervised at all times which is used to cook food on a grill. Gas and propane barbecues do not fall into the classification of open air burning.

Contravention of the Fire Code can include fines up to $50,000.

Approved materials that may be burnt include, clean dry wood, branches, trees and other wood products. Strictly forbidden materials include tires, plastics, shingles, electrical wiring and any product that contains a petroleum byproduct.

The Lakeshore Fire Department uses the following checklist items to approve any request for permission to burn. Please review the checklist prior to calling the office for a permit.

For additional information on Open Air Burning, please contact Fire Administration at 519-728-0550 or visit us at 592 St .Charles Street., Belle River.