Guidelines
The following guidelines are to be strictly adhered to by a person or persons doing the burning. Fire Services takes a
Zero Tolerance approach to any violation of these approvals.
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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 barbecue.
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Burning must cease prior to 11 p.m.
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Burn only dry material. All other material such as petroleum products, plastics, rubber, painted lumber etc., that will cause excessive smoke or fumes MUST NOT BE BURNED. Mixed demolition debris is not suitable for open-air burning.
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Keep the fire at an approved distance from any structure and/or any combustible material (trees, grass, woodpiles, etc.).
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Burn less than 1 cubic metre of material at a time.
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Stay with the fire at all times until it is completely extinguished.
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Equipment and resources must be available at the burning site to extinguish the fire, in the event that the fire gets out of control or is causing an adverse effect.
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Open-air burning must not be conducted during rain or fog (smoke cannot disperse properly), and when wind speeds are high or wind direction changes frequently (fire may spread rapidly).
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Common courtesy for your neighbours is expected (i.e. clotheslines, open window, etc.). If we receive a complaint, Fire Services must respond. If the complaint is deemed legitimate, the permit will be cancelled for 90 days and/or charges will be laid under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
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Open-air burning will not be approved for Industrial or Commercial occupancies.
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Obtaining authorization to have an open-air fire does not relieve an owner from the obligation to comply with the Environmental Protection Act of Ontario.
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Tenants are reminded that written approval from the homeowner will be required prior to issuance of a burning permit for rented properties.
Open-air burning is approved under the above noted rules. Any contravention of these rules will result in an immediate 90 day suspension of the permit and/or prosecution under the
Ontario Fire Code and Fire Protection and Prevention Act.
Whenever the Ministry of Natural Resources issues a ban on burning, all permits in Sault Ste. Marie are cancelled until such time that the ban has been lifted.