Backyard fires in Middlesex Centre
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Middlesex Centre, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Middlesex Centre does not require a permit for most open-air fires, but all burning must follow By-law 2010-028. Cooking and recreational fires are permitted if in a safe location, using acceptable materials, supervised, and with extinguishing means. Recreational fires must be no larger than 0.70 m. Open fires to remove acceptable materials are allowed in unrestricted rural areas during daylight with Fire Dispatch notification. Open fires are prohibited in restricted areas.
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 fires may be set during Poor Air Quality Days, High Risk Periods, or a burn ban declared by the Fire Chief.
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 Middlesex Centre
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.
Middlesex Centre backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Middlesex Centre?
Middlesex Centre does not require a permit for most open-air fires, but all burning must follow By-law 2010-028. Cooking and recreational fires are permitted if in a safe location, using acceptable materials, supervised, and with extinguishing means. Recreational fires must be no larger than 0.70 m. Open fires to remove acceptable materials are allowed in unrestricted rural areas during daylight with Fire Dispatch notification. Open fires are prohibited in restricted areas. Source: Municipality of Middlesex Centre, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Middlesex Centre?
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 Middlesex Centre today?
No fires may be set during Poor Air Quality Days, High Risk Periods, or a burn ban declared by the Fire Chief. 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 Middlesex Centre?
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 Middlesex Centre's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Middlesex Centre?
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 Municipality of Middlesex Centre, last checked 2026-07-02. Barbecues are exempt. Open fires in unrestricted areas require Fire Dispatch notification but not a permit.
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: Adelaide-Metcalfe, Southwest Middlesex, Strathroy-Caradoc, Thames Centre. Or see every municipality.