Backyard fires in Mississippi Mills
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Mississippi Mills, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Mississippi Mills requires a free burn permit for any open-air burning. Permits must be renewed annually and activated before each burn. Open-air fires are prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fire season (April 1 to October 31), except for campfires and outdoor fireplaces that comply with the bylaw. Burning is not allowed in Almonte, Pakenham, or other setback-restricted areas. Only untreated wood, brush, branches, leaves, and non-laminated paper or cardboard may be burned.
Municipal ruleAlso covers Almonte.
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
Burn permits do not allow burning during a burn ban; all open-air burning must stop when a ban is in effect.
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 Mississippi Mills
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.
Mississippi Mills backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Mississippi Mills?
Mississippi Mills requires a free burn permit for any open-air burning. Permits must be renewed annually and activated before each burn. Open-air fires are prohibited from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the fire season (April 1 to October 31), except for campfires and outdoor fireplaces that comply with the bylaw. Burning is not allowed in Almonte, Pakenham, or other setback-restricted areas. Only untreated wood, brush, branches, leaves, and non-laminated paper or cardboard may be burned. Source: Municipality of Mississippi Mills, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Mississippi Mills?
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 Mississippi Mills today?
Burn permits do not allow burning during a burn ban; all open-air burning must stop when a ban is in effect. 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 Mississippi Mills?
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 Mississippi Mills's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Mississippi Mills?
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 Mississippi Mills, last checked 2026-07-02. Campfires and outdoor fireplaces are allowed outside the daytime window but must comply with By-law 17-35; propane or natural gas appliances are permitted.
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: Beckwith, Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Montague. Or see every municipality.