Open Burn Application

Application to have an open burn in the Township of Woolwich.

• The party responsible for supervising the open burn must notify the fire department by telephone or in person (no messages) the day before lighting or starting an open burn
• The burn pile cannot exceed 6 metres by 6 metres (20 feet by 20 feet) and is limited to the previously inspected site area. The burn site shall be confined to a location that provides for a minimum distance of not less than 20 metres (100 feet) from any property line, structure, fence, hedge, roadway, overhead wire or any other combustible structure or object. Measurement is taken from the edge of the burn site. Exemptions to the minimum distance requirement must be approved by the fire department prior to the lighting of the open burn.
• Open burning is limited to between the hours of 8 a.m. and one-hour before sunset.
• The open burn shall be attended, controlled and supervised at all times by a responsible adult (18 years or older). An appropriate extinguisher agent must be present at all times during and until the burn site is completely extinguished and before the burn site is vacated.
• The burn must not cause any discomfort, danger, irritation and or nuisance, i.e. smoke, sparks, odours, fumes, or interfere with any neighbor. Complaints from neighbours may terminate the permit.
• Burn only clean, non-treated wood. No burning of leaves, plastics, rubber, Styrofoam, petroleum products, pesticide containers, electrical wire coatings or any hazardous materials that violates Ministry of the Environment regulations or the Environmental Protection Act.
• Burning is not permitted when the wind exceeds 16 km (10 miles) per hour, when wind directions change frequently or at a time when a ‘smog alert’ has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment. Open Burns are not permitted during of dry conditions, drought or when ‘Fire/Burn Bans’ are issued by the municipality. Listen to your local radio station or watch the weather channel for up-to-date information. If in doubt, call 519-669-6022.

Failure to comply with conditions may result in refusal to grant permission to have an open burn permit in the future and may cause the Fire Department to have the burn extinguished immediately. You may also be subject to fine and associated liability for any and all costs associated with enforcing the above described conditions. As per the Fees and Charges By-law, a fee to have an open burn applies.

I accept full responsibility for the setting and control of the burn site and acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to abide by the above regulations and conditions.