The current burn hazard index is Extreme.
The April Burn Ban has been lifted as of May 1, 2023. Before burning, please review the open air burning by-law. Always use caution while burning.
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
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 cost 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. |
Burn Complaints |
During Active Burning (Kawartha Lakes Police and Fire Dispatch Non-Emergency) 705-324-2191
For complaints when burning is not active please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Office
Note: You may be charged if you knowingly, repeatedly or spitefully cause a response from the Fire Department upon any person having an open fire under By-law 2016-110. |
Campfire requirements (no permit required) |
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 (no permit required) |
A burn barrel is not to be used in a built up area. As defined by By-law 2016-110 “built up area” means an area with buildings on one or both sides of the road with 23 metres or less between them with a minimum grouping of five buildings. Building means school, church, residential dwelling, commercial and industrial structure. 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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Burn permits
Permits will not be issued within a “built up area” as defined by By-law 2016-110 “built up area” means an area with buildings on one or both sides of the road with 23 metres or less between them with a minimum grouping of five buildings. Building means school, church, residential dwelling, commercial and industrial structure.
Open Air Burning Permits can be obtained by:
Visiting a Municipal Service Centre or completing the Burn Permit Application Online Form
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.
Regular burn permit (cubic metre) |
Cost: $13.00
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Annual regular burn permit (cubic metre) |
Cost: $58.00
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Special burn permit |
Cost: $24.00
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Long term special burn permit |
Cost: $45.00
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Agricultural burn permit |
Cost: $24.00
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Agricultural special burn permit |
Cost: $45.00
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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
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. Starting May 18, 2021, you will need a permit to use consumer fireworks on private property outside of the designated approved days.
Under By-Law 2007-236, permits have always been required for all types of display fireworks (professional fireworks such as pyrotechnic) and for consumer fireworks being discharged in public spaces, such as a park. The amendments to the By-law require residents to obtain a permit should they wish to discharge consumer fireworks on their own property for an event outside of the designated days and times outlined below.
The updated By-law limits the use of Consumer Fireworks without a permit, the day preceding, the day of, and the day following:
- Family Day (February 19, 20, and 21, 2023)
- Victoria Day (May 21, 22, and 23, 2023)
- Indigenous Peoples Day (June 20, 21, and 22, 2023)
- Canada Day (June 30, July 1, and 2, 2023)
- Labour Day (September 3, 4, and 5, 2023)
- New Years Eve (December 30, 31, 2023 and January 1, 2024)
In addition, fireworks on these days will only be allowed to be set off between dusk and 11pm. Should residents wish to use fireworks outside of authorized days, a consumer fireworks permit for a special event must be obtained.
Obtaining a permit
Cost: $53.00
To obtain a permit for consumer fireworks for a special event or celebration, residents will be required to fill out an online application form for review and approval by the municipality and pay the required fee. Fire Services will require an application to be submitted 14 days in advance for a consumer fireworks special event application.
Permit application for Public Display of Consumer or Display Fireworks (professional fireworks such as pyrotechnic and for consumer fireworks being discharged in public spaces, such as a park)
Permit application for Private Display of Consumer Fireworks (consumer fireworks on your own property for a special event outside of the designated days and times outlined above)
Application for Permit to Sell Fireworks
View the locations of approved permits for upcoming firework displays:
Other 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 30m from any structure or property line
- fireworks may not be discharged closer than 100m 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
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