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Burn Permits

Apply for a Burn Permit

Are you planning on having a open air burn in Trent Lakes. If so you must have a burn permit. A burn permit is free and is valid until December 31st of the year you obtained it. You can obtain your burn permit by clicking the following:

About Fire Bans

A total fire ban means no open air fires. During a total fire ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or carry out any activity in the open that causes or is likely to cause a fire. No outdoor fires of any kind. This ban includes bonfires, charcoal BBQ's, outdoor candles and lanterns, Tiki torches, chimeneas, burning brush or leaves, all outdoor solid fuel burning appliances, fireworks etc.  Certified propane and natural gas appliances such as fire tables or barbeques that are TSSA approved are allowed.

Fire bans can also occur in our municipality when an order is made under the Forest Fires Prevention Act to implement a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ). These temporary measures are put in place to prevent human-caused fires when the fire hazard is extreme and/or when firefighting resources are limited.

During a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) please contact the Ministry of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Tips Line to report non-emergency open air burning complaints at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667).

Penalties as prescribed by the Provincial Offences Act. Once a Restricted Fire Zone is declared, it is illegal to set a fire for any purpose within the affected area unless specific conditions have been met. Failure to comply could result in: fine up to $25,000,three months in jail, financial responsibility for any costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.

The Ontario Fire Code requires that all open-air burning must be approved by Fire Services. The Municipality of Trent Lakes By-law B2023-053 regulates open air fires and burn permits in our community. 

You need a burn permit if you're having any open air fire including but not limited to bonfires, burn barrels, chimenea's, cooking fires, etc.. Please complete the Burn Permit Application. You can also apply by email or give us a call at 705-738-3800 ext. 230 and someone will be happy to generate a permit over the phone. 

Please include the following information with your application:

  • Applicants name and address
  • Address of the burn site
  • Phone number
  • Purpose of the permit (brush fire, campfire, special burn permit, etc)

If you're having a larger fire, you need to get special burn permission by calling the Fire Prevention Inspector at 705-738-3800 ext. 249 a minimum of 2 business days prior.

Burn permits last for the calendar year. You'll need to reapply annually.

Fees

There is currently no fee for Open Air Burn Permits.

When do I need a burn permit?

You need a burn permit for the following types of fires:

  • Brush fires
  • Campfires
  • Burn barrels
  • Chimenea's and outdoor open air fireplaces
  • Special burn permit

You don't need a burn permit for:

  • Certified propane and natural gas fire pits, fire tables, or barbeques that are TSSA approved.

Call before and after each burn

Each time you start a fire and put it out you must call 800-374-4009 ext. 301 or 705-738-3800 ext. 301. This helps our staff recognize if a fire is planned and we will also inform you if there is a burn ban in effect.

Fire rules and regulations

You must follow these fire rules and regulations:

  • You can only have an open air fire between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. from April 1 to October 31
  • Fires must be 0.61 m (2 feet) wide by 0.61 m (2 feet) deep and 0.61 m (2 feet) tall
  • The fire must be placed 7.6 m (25 feet) from any lot lines, buildings, structures, trees or combustible materials
  • You must attend and watch the fire at all times
  • You must have equipment available to put out the fire

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