Backyard fires in Conmee
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Conmee, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Conmee allows small fire pits used for cooking or warmth that are 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or smaller without a permit, provided they are in a safe location away from combustibles and you have water and a shovel nearby. Larger open-air burns and any open-air burn from April 1 to October 31 require a permit, which is valid for 7 days and limits burning from 2 hours before sundown to 2 hours after sunrise.
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 declare a fire ban that prohibits all burning, and any issued permit may be shortened or revoked. Conmee is in the northern Ontario fire region, so provincial Restricted Fire Zone declarations also apply.
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 Conmee
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.
Conmee backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Conmee?
Conmee allows small fire pits used for cooking or warmth that are 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or smaller without a permit, provided they are in a safe location away from combustibles and you have water and a shovel nearby. Larger open-air burns and any open-air burn from April 1 to October 31 require a permit, which is valid for 7 days and limits burning from 2 hours before sundown to 2 hours after sunrise. Source: Township of Conmee, Burning Permits, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Conmee?
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 Conmee today?
The Fire Chief can declare a fire ban that prohibits all burning, and any issued permit may be shortened or revoked. Conmee is in the northern Ontario fire region, so provincial Restricted Fire Zone declarations also apply. 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 Conmee?
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 Conmee's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Conmee?
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 Township of Conmee, Burning Permits, last checked 2026-07-02. Permits are available online at conmee.burnpermits.com or at the Municipal Office at 19 Holland Road West and must be signed by the property owner.
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: O’Connor, Dorion, Gillies, Greenstone. Or see every municipality.