Fire Rating and Burn Permits

Safety: Applying for a burn permit helps reduce the risk of uncontrolled fires. Properly supervised burns lower the chance of wildfires that can threaten lives, property, and natural areas.

Environmental Protection: Unregulated burning can release harmful pollutants into the air, affecting both public health and the environment. A burn permit ensures you follow guidelines designed to limit these impacts.

Legal Compliance: All outdoor burning in the Township of Georgian Bay must comply with municipal by-laws. Having a valid permit confirms you are meeting legal requirements and avoiding fines or penalties.

Burn Period: Burn permits are valid year-round, from January 1 to December 31, and must be renewed annually.

Know the Rules: After receiving your permit, review all guidelines and restrictions. These include what materials may be burned, required safety measures, and conditions under which burning is allowed.

Check the Fire Danger Rating: Always confirm the current fire danger rating before burning.

The Georgian Bay Fire Department permits large controlled burns when the following requirements are met:

• A valid Burn Permit has been issued
• A Large Controlled Burn Application has been submitted
• The Fire Department has reviewed and approved the request
• All applicable fees have been paid in full

Residents are encouraged to apply well in advance to allow for scheduling, weather checks, and operational review.

Please contact the Fire Department for more information on how to apply!

• Review and abide by Burning By-law 2019-18, as amended.
• Burn only class “A” combustible materials.
• Don’t burn kitchen garbage, treated or painted lumber/construction materials or materials made/or containing rubber, plastic, tar, or other hazardous material.
• Recreational/Campfires must be no greater than 1 cubic meters.
• Non-Recreational/ Bonfire must be no greater than 2 cubic meters.
• Fires must be under constant supervision and controlled at all times.
• Daytime burning is permitted.
• Do not burn on days where smoke will blow across roadways and hamper driving visibility.
• Always have proper extinguishment tools on site.
• If the Chief Fire Official, officer or a member of the fire department deems a fire to be in contravention of the burning by-law, the fire shall be extinguished.
• The Chief Fire Official, or designate, or Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, has the right to revoke an issued permit upon receipt of any complaint or violation of any part of Burning By-law 2019-18.
• The current Ministry of Transportation rate charged per fire apparatus for every hour of part thereof that the fire department is on site.
• NON RECREATIONAL FIRES (bonfires) and FIREWORKS, ARE NOT ALLOWED when the Fire Danger Rating is HIGH.
• BURNING for any reason, including FIREWORKS, IS NOT ALLOWED when the Fire Danger Rating is EXTREME.