Backyard fires in Bracebridge
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Bracebridge, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Bracebridge allows recreational campfires without a permit under the Burning Control By-Law, but only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. from April 1 to October 31, with no daytime burning at all for recreational fires in that period. Fires must be fuelled by dry wood only, stay under 0.6 metres (2 feet) in size, and sit at least 6 metres (20 feet) from any adjacent property, with water and tools kept on hand and the fire supervised at all times. Breaking these rules brings a minimum $300 fine per violation, plus the cost of any fire department response.
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
Bracebridge is in Muskoka, part of the province's fire region, so on top of the town's own Burning Control By-Law, check the Ontario government's Restricted Fire Zone map before burning; when an RFZ is declared for this area, all outdoor burning is banned regardless of the local rules. The town also posts its own fire bans and fire zone map at bracebridge.ca.
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 Bracebridge
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.
Bracebridge backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Bracebridge?
Bracebridge allows recreational campfires without a permit under the Burning Control By-Law, but only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. from April 1 to October 31, with no daytime burning at all for recreational fires in that period. Fires must be fuelled by dry wood only, stay under 0.6 metres (2 feet) in size, and sit at least 6 metres (20 feet) from any adjacent property, with water and tools kept on hand and the fire supervised at all times. Breaking these rules brings a minimum $300 fine per violation, plus the cost of any fire department response. Source: Town of Bracebridge, Open Air (Outdoor) Burning brochure, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Bracebridge?
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 Bracebridge today?
Bracebridge is in Muskoka, part of the province's fire region, so on top of the town's own Burning Control By-Law, check the Ontario government's Restricted Fire Zone map before burning; when an RFZ is declared for this area, all outdoor burning is banned regardless of the local rules. The town also posts its own fire bans and fire zone map at bracebridge.ca. 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 Bracebridge?
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 Bracebridge's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Bracebridge?
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 Bracebridge, Open Air (Outdoor) Burning brochure, last checked 2026-07-02. The by-law splits the town into four fire zones with slightly different rules for slash pile burning in the rural zones; check your zone on the town's map, and call by-law enforcement at 705-645-5264 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: Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Georgian Bay. Or see every municipality.