Backyard fires in Amherstburg
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Amherstburg, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Amherstburg requires an annual fire permit for outdoor fires under its Open Burn By-law (2022-033), including campfires, recreational fires and fire pits or approved devices like chimineas. A site inspection is scheduled before your first permit; campfires must stay at least 15 metres from lot lines, buildings and fences, though that drops to 10 metres if the fire sits inside a 40 cm high non-combustible surround. Cooking fires that meet provincial fire code rules for a small, confined, supervised fire are allowed without a permit.
Municipal ruleGas versus wood
Gas and propane fire pits are treated separately from open-air wood burning and are the simplest option; placement rules and any active ban still apply.
Today's fire ban
The fire chief can suspend all burning during dry, high-risk conditions with a town-wide fire ban, posted through the fire department and town news channels. Amherstburg is in Essex County in far southwestern Ontario, outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone, which only covers the northern and central fire regions.
For the provincial layer, check Ontario's fire restrictions and the Forest Fire Information Map, which show Restricted Fire Zones across the fire region.
Two separate rules can stop a backyard fire in Ontario: a municipal fire ban, which any municipality can declare during a dry spell, and a provincial Restricted Fire Zone, declared only in the northern fire region. Either one overrides your normal permission, so check both before you light up.
Backyard fire safety in Amherstburg
Where a recreational fire is allowed, these rules keep it legal and safe almost everywhere in Ontario:
- Burn only clean, dry, untreated firewood. Never garbage, leaves, brush, or treated or painted wood.
- Keep the fire small and contained in a pit, ring, or approved appliance, not a loose pile.
- Stay well back from buildings, fences, trees, decks, and the property line.
- Keep water or an extinguisher within reach, and never leave the fire unattended.
- Watch the wind. Skip it on dry, gusty days, and soak the ashes cold before you go inside.
- Never burn during a fire ban or Restricted Fire Zone, even if you usually could.
Amherstburg backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Amherstburg?
Amherstburg requires an annual fire permit for outdoor fires under its Open Burn By-law (2022-033), including campfires, recreational fires and fire pits or approved devices like chimineas. A site inspection is scheduled before your first permit; campfires must stay at least 15 metres from lot lines, buildings and fences, though that drops to 10 metres if the fire sits inside a 40 cm high non-combustible surround. Cooking fires that meet provincial fire code rules for a small, confined, supervised fire are allowed without a permit. Source: Town of Amherstburg, Burn Permits, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Amherstburg?
Gas and propane fire pits are treated separately from open-air wood burning and are the simplest option; placement rules and any active ban still apply.
How do I know if there is a fire ban in Amherstburg today?
The fire chief can suspend all burning during dry, high-risk conditions with a town-wide fire ban, posted through the fire department and town news channels. Amherstburg is in Essex County in far southwestern Ontario, outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone, which only covers the northern and central fire regions. For the provincial picture, check Ontario's fire restrictions page and the Forest Fire Information Map, which show Restricted Fire Zones in the fire region.
What can I burn in Amherstburg?
Only clean, dry, untreated firewood for a recreational fire. Burning household garbage, leaves, brush, painted or treated wood, and construction debris is prohibited across Ontario, fire ban or not.
When is fire season in Ontario?
Ontario's official fire season runs April 1 to October 31. During it the province manages wildfire and can declare a Restricted Fire Zone in the northern fire region. Municipal open-air burning rules apply all year, so check Amherstburg's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Amherstburg?
Municipalities and the province can fine illegal open-air burning, and you can be billed for the cost of fighting any fire you start. If a ban or Restricted Fire Zone is in effect, do not burn, even if you hold a permit.
Source
From Town of Amherstburg, Burn Permits, last checked 2026-07-02. Permits are applied for online at afd.burnpermits.com or in person at the Finance Department with a non-refundable inspection fee, and renewals are free with no repeat inspection as long as the burn site hasn't changed; call the fire department at 519-736-6500 with questions.
This is a plain-language summary, not the bylaw, and not legal advice. Open-air burning rules and bans change quickly, especially in dry weather. Always check your municipality's page and today's ban status before you light anything.
Other municipalities: Lakeshore, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Essex. Or see every municipality.