Backyard fires in Laurentian Hills
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Laurentian Hills, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Laurentian Hills regulates open-air fires by By-law No. 08-14 without a permit system. From April 1 to October 31 open-air fires are allowed only as small confined fires supervised by an adult and used for cooking food or personal warmth, burning no more than one-third of a cubic metre of material with adequate extinguishment available. From November 1 to March 31 open-air fires must be at least 9.144 metres from buildings, fences, trees, brush piles or other combustibles.
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 partial or total fire bans based on Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines or local conditions. Laurentian Hills is outside the provincial legislated fire region.
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 Laurentian Hills
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.
Laurentian Hills backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Laurentian Hills?
Laurentian Hills regulates open-air fires by By-law No. 08-14 without a permit system. From April 1 to October 31 open-air fires are allowed only as small confined fires supervised by an adult and used for cooking food or personal warmth, burning no more than one-third of a cubic metre of material with adequate extinguishment available. From November 1 to March 31 open-air fires must be at least 9.144 metres from buildings, fences, trees, brush piles or other combustibles. Source: Town of Laurentian Hills, Open Air Fires By-law No. 08-14, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Laurentian Hills?
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 Laurentian Hills today?
The Fire Chief may declare partial or total fire bans based on Ministry of Natural Resources guidelines or local conditions. Laurentian Hills is outside the provincial legislated fire region. 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 Laurentian Hills?
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 Laurentian Hills's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Laurentian Hills?
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 Laurentian Hills, Open Air Fires By-law No. 08-14, last checked 2026-07-02. Any person who contravenes any provision of this By-Law is guilty of an offence and may be subject to a fine of up to $2,000.00 plus 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: Deep River, Admaston/Bromley, Arnprior, Bonnechere Valley. Or see every municipality.