With a return to warm weather there has been an increase in the number of recreational and non-recreational fires occurring throughout Haldimand County. So far this year several of the fires have been found to violate Haldimand County’s Open Air Fire Burn By-law. As a result, several Notice of Violations have already been issued.

With the warmer weather upon us and in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Haldimand County Fire Department is asking for the public’s co-operation in complying with these by-laws, which are in place to ensure fires remain safe and controlled.

Recreational fires are allowed in all areas without a permit provided the fire meets all of the regulations set out in By-law 1662-16. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring the fire is contained; that it is set back at least 10 meters from all combustible structures/objects and 4m from any property line; that the fire is supervised at all times and that smoke produced from the recreational fire has no adverse affects. Favourable weather conditions must also be present in order to have a recreational fire: there must be no fog, no air quality alerts, no burn bans & winds must be less than 20 km/hr.

Non-recreational fires are only permitted in rural areas of the County and require a burn permit. Non-recreational fires must meet all of the regulations set out in By-law 1662-16. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring fires are supervised at all times; contained to an area not exceeding 6 meters by 6 meters and is set back at least 60 meters from all combustible structures/objects. Residents who have burn permits may conduct burns as long as they are following the by-laws. No new burn permits are being issued at this time.

Open air fires that are not conducted according to the by-law present potential safety hazards. Anyone found conducting an open air fire without a current permit are subject to enforcement, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and/or extinguish the fire.

The by-law and further information on open air burning can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca.