Backyard fires in Goderich
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Goderich, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Goderich's Open Fires By-law 54-2025 lets residents have a small recreational fire in an outdoor appliance without a permit, provided it is no larger than 60 cm cubed, burns only clean dry wood between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., and stays at least 3 m from buildings, property lines, and other combustibles. All other open air burning, including yard waste fires, requires a burn permit from the Fire Chief.
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 may declare a burn ban at any time for public safety, and no permits are issued during a ban. Goderich is in Huron County; watch the town website for ban notices.
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 Goderich
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.
Goderich backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Goderich?
Goderich's Open Fires By-law 54-2025 lets residents have a small recreational fire in an outdoor appliance without a permit, provided it is no larger than 60 cm cubed, burns only clean dry wood between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., and stays at least 3 m from buildings, property lines, and other combustibles. All other open air burning, including yard waste fires, requires a burn permit from the Fire Chief. Source: Town of Goderich, Open Fires By-law 54-2025, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Goderich?
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 Goderich today?
The Fire Chief may declare a burn ban at any time for public safety, and no permits are issued during a ban. Goderich is in Huron County; watch the town website for ban notices. 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 Goderich?
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 Goderich's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Goderich?
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 Goderich, Open Fires By-law 54-2025, last checked 2026-07-02. Apply for a burn permit through the town's Open Air Burns webpage or municipal office; permits are typically valid for the date indicated or up to 7 days.
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: Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh, Bluewater, Central Huron, Howick. Or see every municipality.