What it means: Minimal fire risk. Forest fuels are damp.
Burning: Safe to burn with normal caution. No restrictions unless a local by-law says otherwise.
Burn Permits
Planning to burn brush, leaves, or other clean wood? In most cases, you will need a burn permit from the Inter Township Fire Department (ITFD) to burn outdoors. Burn permits ensure that fires are set safely and in accordance with local regulations, helping prevent dangerous situations.
Do You Need a Burn Permit?
You must get a burn permit for any of the following:
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Open-air fires (any fire not fully enclosed in a structure or approved device)
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Fires in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace
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Fires larger than 1 metre in diameter
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Any bonfire, brush fire, demolition fire, or controlled fire
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Burns on construction sites
Permits are required year-round, not just seasonally.
Common Exemptions
You do not need a permit for:
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Outdoor cooking devices like barbecues and hibachis using charcoal or gas
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Ceremonial fires held by First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities
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Fires in campgrounds if they’re within approved devices
Burn Types
Here are a few examples of burn types :
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Fire Pit: Max 1 metre in diameter, flames not exceeding 1 cubic metre
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Bonfire: Max 2.2m (7.2 ft) wide and high; only 1 per property; minimum lot size: 1 acre
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Brush Fire: Max 3m x 3m x 3m; only 1 fire at a time
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Controlled Fire: Max 6m x 6m x 6m; only allowed on agricultural-zoned lands
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Demolition Fire: Only clean wood; requires both burn and demolition permits
Each fire type has detailed rules for distance from combustibles, supervision, water on site, and operation times. See the Open Air Burn By-law for more details.
How to Apply for a Permit
All burn permits are now online!
Apply anytime at georgianbluffs.burnpermits.ca
Burn permits for fire pits and outdoor fireplaces will be issued automatically, provided they meet all requirements. Permits for brush fires, bonfires, controlled burns, or demolition fires will be reviewed by the Fire Chief.
Permits expire on December 31 each year.
You must notify ITFD before lighting each burn (Exception: Fire Pits/Outdoor Fireplaces):
Call 1-855-690-0777
Burn Safety
For any Open Air Fires, always follow these safety guidelines:
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Keep clear zones around your fire (3–15 metres, depending on fire type)
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Have water or a fire extinguisher ready
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Stay with your fire at all times until fully extinguished (no smoke or embers)
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No burning when winds exceed 20 km/h or during smog alerts
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Only burn clean wood—no household waste, plastics, or treated wood
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Fires must not be a nuisance to others (excess smoke, sparks)
In Ontario, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) uses a Forest Fire Danger Rating System to determine wildfire risk. This system helps guide decisions like issuing burn bans. The rating is divided into five levels:
What it means: Fire can start from an open flame and may spread slowly.
Burning: Still generally safe, but be more careful. Fires should be monitored and fully extinguished.
What it means: Fire will ignite easily and spread quickly in dry grass or light forest fuels.
Burning: Use extreme caution. The MNRF may issue a fire ban or recommend local restrictions.
What it means: Explosive fire conditions. Fires will start easily, spread rapidly, and are very hard to control.
Burning: All burning is usually banned. Any open flame or spark can cause a dangerous wildfire.
What it means: The MNRF has officially declared a fire ban under the Forest Fires Prevention Act.
Burning: No outdoor fires allowed, including campfires, open-air burning, and fireworks.
Enforced by: Conservation officers and local authorities. Fines or charges can apply.
Fire Bans
During dry or hazardous weather, the Fire Chief may declare a Fire Ban.
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All open-air fires are banned during a fire ban, even with a permit
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Fires in CSA/ULC-approved devices may be allowed; check for updates
Stay informed:
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Visit our website
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Call the fire department: 519-376-9933
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Watch for local news or social media updates
By following these guidelines and obtaining the necessary burn permits, you can help keep our community safe from accidental fires. If you have any questions about burn permits, fire bans, or fire safety, don’t hesitate to contact us at chief@itfd.ca or by calling 519-376-9933.
Contact Us
Inter Township Fire Department
180 12th Street West
Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 3V2