Close Alert Banner
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content

Woolwich Township Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
I'd Like To...
  • Find out about
    • Mayor and Council
    • News
    • Starting a Business
    • Water and Sewer
    • Zoning
  • Register
    • Animal Services
    • eNewsletter
    • Marriage Licence
    • Pre-authorized Tax Payments
    • Recreation and Programs
  • Report
    • Dead Animal
    • Pothole
    • Request for Service
    • Street Light
    • Winter Maintenance
  • Pay
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Taxes
    • Water and Sewer
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
Contact Us
View our Facebook page YouTube View our Twitter page Instagram
  • Discover Us
    • Arts and Culture
    • Community Events Calendar
    • Discover
    • Eat
    • Economic Development and Tourism
    • Facilities
    • Heritage
    • Libraries
    • Parks and Trails
    • Plan
    • Recreation and Facilities
    • Shop
    • St. Jacobs Country
    • Stay
    • The Mennonite Story
    • Tours and Self-Guided Tours
    • Visitor Information Centres
    View our Parks and Trails page
    Parks and Trails
  • Living Here
    • About Woolwich
    • A-Z Services
    • Cemeteries
    • Climate Action
    • Community and Social Services
    • Emergency Services
    • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Events Calendar
    • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
    • Home Renovation or Construction
    • Locates
    • New to Woolwich
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
    • Parking
    • Pingstreet
    • Recreation and Facilities
    • Roads and Sidewalks
    • Schools and Education
    • Snow and Significant Weather Events
    • Taxes
    • Trees and Yards
    • Water and Sewer
    • Township Community Events
    View our Township Community Events page
    Township Community Events
  • Doing Business
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Available Lands
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Business Directory
    • Business Improvement Areas (BIAs)
    • Clean Tech Tour and Directory
    • Community Profile
    • Economic Development in Woolwich
    • Home Renovation or Construction
    • Locates
    • Official Plan
    • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Starting a Business
    • Taxes
    • Zoning
    View our Community Profile page
    Community Profile
  • Township Services
    • Accessibility
    • Animal Services
    • Applications, Forms, Licences and Permits
    • Budget and Finance
    • By-laws
    • By-Law Enforcement
    • Careers and Volunteering
    • Contact Us
    • Departments
    • Elections
    • Emergency Planning and Preparedness
    • Engineering Public Notices
    • Fire Services
    • Freedom of Information
    • Grants and Special Assistance
    • Insurance Claims
    • Maps
    • Marriages
    • Mayor and Council
    • Municipal Drains
    • News Room
    • Parking
    • Report It
    • Reports, Studies and Plans
    • Taxes
    View our Mayor and Council page
    Mayor and Council
Report It Feedback
 

Burn Permits and Burning

More
Decrease text size Default text size Increase text size
Print this page
Share this page
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Home/.../Emergency Services/Fire/Burn Permits and Burning
  • Emergency Services
    • Fire
      • Burn Permits and Burning
      • Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms
      • Fire Education and Prevention
      • Fire Safety Tips
      • Fire Stations
      • Inspections and Reporting
      • Recruitment
  • About Woolwich
  • A-Z Services
  • Cemeteries
  • Climate Action
  • Community and Social Services
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
  • Events Calendar
  • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
  • Home Renovation or Construction
  • Locates
  • New to Woolwich
  • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
  • Parking
  • Pingstreet
  • Recreation and Facilities
  • Roads and Sidewalks
  • Schools and Education
  • Snow and Significant Weather Events
  • Taxes
  • Trees and Yards
  • Water and Sewer
  • Township Community Events

More in this Section...

Quick Links

  • Emergency Services
  • Garbage, Recycling and Waste
  • Paperless Billing ( eBilling )
  • Taxes
  • Water and Sewer
  • Roads and Sidewalks

Open Burn Image

Open air burning in the Township of Woolwich is regulated by the Open Air Burns By-law. A burn permit is required for all open air burning within the Township. Whether you are having a small backyard fire or clearing your property of brush, a permit is required.

Fire permits are available from the Township Administration Office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or by completing our burn permit application form. Please note weekend Open Burn Permit Submissions made online or by phone will not be processed until Monday morning. View our fees and charges by-law for permit costs.

Campfire Permits

  • The campfire must be contained in some manner, i.e. (steel rim, bricks, stones, etc.) Appliances such as a chiminea, fire bowl, burn barrel or other enclosed units are also acceptable.
  • The campfire size does not exceed 60 cm (2 feet X 2 feet) with flames no more than 60 cm (2 feet) high.
  • The campfire shall be attended, controlled and supervised at all times by a responsible adult (18 years or older) and shall be completely extinguished before the campfire is vacated.
  • An appropriate extinguishing agent must be present at all times during the campfire and until the campfire is fully and completely extinguished.
  • The campfire must not cause any discomfort, danger, irritation and or nuisance, i.e. smoke, sparks, odours, fumes, or interfere with any neighbour. Complaints from neighbours may terminate the permit.
  • Burn only clean, non-treated wood. No burning of leaves, plastics, rubber, Styrofoam, petroleum products or any hazardous materials that violates Ministry of the Environment regulations or the Environmental Protection Act.
  • The campfire shall be confined to a location that provides for a minimum distance of not less than 4.5 meters (15 feet) from any property line, structure, fence, hedge, roadway, overhead wire or any other combustible structure or object. Measurement is taken from the edge of the fire pit.
  • Campfires are not permitted when the wind exceeds 16 km/10 miles per hour, when wind directions change frequently or at time when a "Smog Alert" has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment. Campfires are not permitted during periods of dry conditions, drought or when "Fire/Burn Bans" are issued by the municipality. Listen to your local radio station or watch the weather channel for up-to-date information. If in doubt, call 519-669-6022.

Open Burn Permits

Open burning is strictly prohibited unless a burn permit is obtained. Regulations and conditions regarding setting of fires include:

  • No fire shall be lighted or started until the local fire station is notified of your intention.  No calls before 8 a.m.
  • No fire shall be lighted or started within a radius of 30 metres (100 ft) of any buildings, dry grass, grain field or wood lot.
  • No fire shall be lighted or started when the wind velocity exceeds 16km (10 miles per hour).
  • No fire shall be lighted or started prior to 8:00 a.m. and after 6:00 p.m. on any day. 
  • The fire shall be supervised at all times by an adult (18 years or older).
  • The fire shall be kept small and controllable with the extinguishing agent present at location at all times.
  • Burn materials include wood and paper products only.  No leaves, tires, asphalt shingles, pesticides or containers, electrical wire coatings or any plastic products that violate Ministry of the Environment regulations.
  • The holder of the permit shall be fully responsible for all damages caused by the fire.

The Fire Department reserves the right to declare open air burning bans at any time. No fires are permitted during a fire ban. All burn bans will be posted on our media releases page.

Failure to comply with any requirements may lead to charges.

Stay safe when using Ethanol

Remember to be safe when using appliances with ethanol, be aware of potential hazards and safety measurers. For more information contact the Fire Department.
Subscribe to this Page
A-Z Listing:
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Woolwich Township

© 2016 Woolwich Township, 24 Church Street West, P.O. Box 158 , Elmira, ON, N3B 2Z6

Designed by eSolutionsGroup
Phone: 519-669-1647, Toll Free: 1-877-969-0094
Email Us Privacy Policy Staff Login Paperless Billing ( eBilling ) Site Map