Current burn index: Burn Ban
The current burn hazard index is set to Burn Ban and will be in place for the entire month of April. Residents will be notified when the ban has been lifted.
Learn before you burn; under section 8.03 of by-law 2016-110, those setting a fire during a burn ban can be charged under the Provincial Offences Act and may also be responsible for the costs incurred for fire department response. The current fee is $488 +HST per vehicle, per hour.
Open air burning
What is Open-air Burning? Open burning or open-air burning means any fire or burning practice that is conducted outside a building and includes but is not limited to, small confined fires (e.g. campfires) and large confined fires, fires in burn barrels, in air curtain incinerators, outdoor recreational fireplaces (e.g. fire pits, fire bowls, fire rings, chimineas, etc.), prescribed burning, and construction site and demolition site fires.
Kawartha Lakes By-Law 2016-110 outlines all open air burning regulations in the City. You must meet these requirements when burning:
- fires cannot be lit during burn bans
- fires cannot be lit during the month of April, this annual burn ban may be extended due to dry weather conditions
- fires cannot be lit during smog alerts
- weather conditions must be good for clearing smoke
- fires may not be lit when wind causes unsafe conditions
- fires must be supervised by an adult at all times
- fires must be fully extinguished at the completion of a burn event
- equipment for controlling and extinguishing fires must be available at the burn location
- clean dry wood is the only material that may be burned
- painted or treated wood, leaves, grass clippings, garbage and other materials may not be burned
- flying lanterns may not be sold or used within the City
Download the Burn By-Law 2020 Quick Reference Guide for more information.
Campfire requirements |
A person may have an open fire without obtaining a permit for the purpose of burning clean dry wood provided the conditions below are met, and/or providing no other City-wide or provincial burn bans are in effect:
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Burn barrel requirements |
Burn barrels are permitted under the following conditions (no permit required):
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Natural gas and propane appliances |
The by-law, however does not apply to propane or gas fuelled barbecues, grills, cooking appliances or gas fireplaces approved for outdoor use by the Technical Standards and Technical Safety Authority of Ontario (T.S.S.A.) or other approval agency and listed by ULC or CSA.
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Learn Before You Burn |
Whether you are having a recreational campfire or open-air burn on your property, you could be invoiced/ fined if you are:
Remember, if Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service is called and no authorization has been obtained, you are liable to pay service fees for the response and/or charged under the Kawartha Lakes By-Law 2016-110 or both. The Consolidated Fees Bylaw provides further information. Regardless of authorization, the person that starts the fire is responsible for any effect that fire or smoke may have on neighbouring persons or property. |
Ontario Fire Code (2.4.4.4.) Open-air burning |
The Ontario Fire Code (2.4.4.4.) prohibits all open-air burning except for small confined cooking fires and other fires that have been “approved” by the Fire Chief. 2.4.4.4. (1) Open-air burning shall not take place unless (a) it has been approved, or (b) the open-air burning consists of a small, confined fire that is (i) used to cook food on a grill, barbecue or spit, (ii) commensurate with the type and quantity of food being cooked, and (iii) supervised at all times. (2) Sentence (1) does not apply to the use of an appliance that (a) meets the requirements of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, (b) is for outdoor use, (c) if assembled, has been assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and (d) if installed, has been installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. |
Burn permits
Application for burn permits |
Open Air Burning Permits can be applied for by emailing burnpermits@kawarthalakes.ca Include the following details:
Once processed your permit will be emailed to you. Cheque and online payment options available. Please note some types of permits may require the Fire Service to conduct a site visit. It can take up to seven business days for you to receive a site visit. Permits will not be issued within a “built up area” as defined by By-law 2016-110: |
Regular burn permit (cubic metre) |
Cost: $11.00
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Annual regular burn permit (cubic metre) |
Cost: $54.00
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Special burn permit |
Cost: $22.00
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Long term special burn permit |
Cost: $43.00
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Agricultural burn permit |
Cost: $22.00
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Agricultural special burn permit |
Cost: $43.00
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Campgrounds, trailer parks and tourist camps |
If you own a campground, trailer park or tourist camp you must get an annual permit for campfires within your facility. You can do this by contacting the City Licensing Officer. |
Fireworks
Application For Permit - Public Display of Fireworks
You need a permit to sell fireworks and perform a public display of fireworks within Kawartha Lakes as part of Firework By-Law 2007-236. You do not need a permit to use consumer fireworks. Requirements to follow when using consumer fireworks include:
- children shall not discharge fireworks
- children may us a sparkler under the supervision of an adult
- fireworks may not be discharged into any motor vehicle, building or structure
- you must get written permission from the owner to discharge fireworks on property you do not own
- fireworks shall be discharged a minimum of 30 m from any structure or property line
- fireworks may not be discharged closer than 100 m from a church, school, residential care facility or place where explosives are sold or stored
- fireworks may not be discharged during a burn ban
- fireworks shall be discharged in accordance with the manufacturer's directions
- fireworks are not to be discharged on municipal lands without authorization
Download the Firework By-Law 2020 Quick Reference Guide for more information.
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