Backyard fires in Collingwood
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Collingwood, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Collingwood requires a permit for any open-air fire, including a standard backyard fire pit, with the current fee at $38. A typical fire pit permit limits the fire to 1 metre by 1 metre and 1 metre high, requires 7.5 metres (25 feet) of clearance from buildings, fences, hedges, or property lines, and only allows burning between sunrise and midnight. Commercially made barbecues, hibachis, and gas-fired outdoor campfire devices are exempt and don't need 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
No permitted fire is allowed during a smog alert or when the Chief Fire Official has issued a burning ban or fire ban, per the bylaw. Ban notices go up on the town website and Collingwood Fire Department's Facebook page.
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 Collingwood
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.
Collingwood backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Collingwood?
Collingwood requires a permit for any open-air fire, including a standard backyard fire pit, with the current fee at $38. A typical fire pit permit limits the fire to 1 metre by 1 metre and 1 metre high, requires 7.5 metres (25 feet) of clearance from buildings, fences, hedges, or property lines, and only allows burning between sunrise and midnight. Commercially made barbecues, hibachis, and gas-fired outdoor campfire devices are exempt and don't need a permit. Source: Town of Collingwood, By-law No. 2015-097 (Open Air Burning By-law), last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Collingwood?
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 Collingwood today?
No permitted fire is allowed during a smog alert or when the Chief Fire Official has issued a burning ban or fire ban, per the bylaw. Ban notices go up on the town website and Collingwood Fire Department's Facebook page. 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 Collingwood?
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 Collingwood's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Collingwood?
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 Collingwood, By-law No. 2015-097 (Open Air Burning By-law), last checked 2026-07-02. Permits are bought in person at the Collingwood Fire Department (45 High Street) during business hours or online, and are valid up to one calendar year as set by the Chief Fire Official; the department can revoke a permit at any time for a violation.
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: Innisfil, Orillia, Ramara, Wasaga Beach. Or see every municipality.