Backyard fires in Smiths Falls
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Smiths Falls, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Smiths Falls requires an open air fire permit for any backyard fire or large fire pit, under the town's Open Air Fire By-law (8792-2015). An annual permit costs $15 (tax included), a new application needs a property inspection by the fire department first, and processing takes up to 10 working days. A device built solely for cooking food, like a propane, charcoal or gas barbecue, does not need a permit as long as it does not burn wood or branches.
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 can declare a fire ban that suspends all open air fires town-wide, and no new permits are issued in the town's fire zones 1, 2 or 3 without fire chief approval. Bans are posted on the town's fire service page and through local alerts; Smiths Falls sits in eastern Ontario outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone area, so it is not covered by that northern layer.
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 Smiths Falls
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.
Smiths Falls backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Smiths Falls?
Smiths Falls requires an open air fire permit for any backyard fire or large fire pit, under the town's Open Air Fire By-law (8792-2015). An annual permit costs $15 (tax included), a new application needs a property inspection by the fire department first, and processing takes up to 10 working days. A device built solely for cooking food, like a propane, charcoal or gas barbecue, does not need a permit as long as it does not burn wood or branches. Source: Town of Smiths Falls, Fire Permits & By-laws, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Smiths Falls?
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 Smiths Falls today?
The fire chief can declare a fire ban that suspends all open air fires town-wide, and no new permits are issued in the town's fire zones 1, 2 or 3 without fire chief approval. Bans are posted on the town's fire service page and through local alerts; Smiths Falls sits in eastern Ontario outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone area, so it is not covered by that northern layer. 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 Smiths Falls?
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 Smiths Falls's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Smiths Falls?
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 Smiths Falls, Fire Permits & By-laws, last checked 2026-07-02. Permits are applied for and paid through the town's online portal at smithsfalls.burnpermits.com, and they run for the calendar year only, so you renew every January.
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, Mississippi Mills. Or see every municipality.