Backyard fires in Haldimand County
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Haldimand County, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Haldimand County does not require a permit for a small recreational fire under its Open-Air Fire Burning By-law (1662-16), as long as it meets the rules: contained in a non-combustible pit up to 1 cubic metre, kept at least 10 metres from structures and 4 metres from neighbouring properties, supervised at all times, and burning only commercial charcoal or clean dry wood. Non-recreational burns, like brush or yard-waste piles, do need a permit and must sit at least 60 metres from anything combustible.
Municipal ruleAlso covers Caledonia, Cayuga, Dunnville.
Gas 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 ban or suspend any open-air fires, including permitted ones, and burning is already off-limits on foggy, humid, air-quality-alert or high-wind days; the County posts open-air burn status updates on its news page. Haldimand is in southwestern Ontario, outside the province's Restricted Fire Zone.
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 Haldimand County
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.
Haldimand County backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Haldimand County?
Haldimand County does not require a permit for a small recreational fire under its Open-Air Fire Burning By-law (1662-16), as long as it meets the rules: contained in a non-combustible pit up to 1 cubic metre, kept at least 10 metres from structures and 4 metres from neighbouring properties, supervised at all times, and burning only commercial charcoal or clean dry wood. Non-recreational burns, like brush or yard-waste piles, do need a permit and must sit at least 60 metres from anything combustible. Source: Haldimand County, Open-Air Fire Burning By-law, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Haldimand County?
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 Haldimand County today?
The Fire Chief can ban or suspend any open-air fires, including permitted ones, and burning is already off-limits on foggy, humid, air-quality-alert or high-wind days; the County posts open-air burn status updates on its news page. Haldimand is in southwestern Ontario, outside the province's Restricted Fire Zone. 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 Haldimand County?
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 Haldimand County's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Haldimand County?
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 Haldimand County, Open-Air Fire Burning By-law, last checked 2026-07-02. Non-recreational burn permits are applied for through the County's fire services before the burn takes place, and repeat violators can be billed for fire suppression costs.
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: Addington Highlands, Adelaide-Metcalfe, Alberton, Alfred and Plantagenet. Or see every municipality.