Backyard fires in South Stormont
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in South Stormont, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Recreational fires in a non-combustible container or fire pit up to 46 cm per side do not need a permit; they may run from 8 a.m. to midnight and must be 5 m from buildings, property lines, trees and other combustibles. Larger open-air fires require a permit and are generally not issued in hamlets, villages, subdivisions or built-up 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
The Chief Fire Official may issue a total fire ban at any time; check the Township of South Stormont website or news notices for current bans. South Stormont is outside Ontario's provincial Restricted Fire Zone layer, so provincial RFZ rules do not apply.
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 South Stormont
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.
South Stormont backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in South Stormont?
Recreational fires in a non-combustible container or fire pit up to 46 cm per side do not need a permit; they may run from 8 a.m. to midnight and must be 5 m from buildings, property lines, trees and other combustibles. Larger open-air fires require a permit and are generally not issued in hamlets, villages, subdivisions or built-up areas. Source: Township of South Stormont, Open Air By-Law (By-law No. 2009-40), last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in South Stormont?
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 South Stormont today?
The Chief Fire Official may issue a total fire ban at any time; check the Township of South Stormont website or news notices for current bans. South Stormont is outside Ontario's provincial Restricted Fire Zone layer, so provincial RFZ rules do not apply. 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 South Stormont?
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 South Stormont's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in South Stormont?
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 Township of South Stormont, Open Air By-Law (By-law No. 2009-40), last checked 2026-07-02. Apply for larger open-air burn permits at the Township office or online and pay the fee set by the Fees and Charges By-law.
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: North Stormont, Cornwall, North Dundas, North Glengarry. Or see every municipality.