Backyard fires in St. Thomas
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in St. Thomas, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
St. Thomas does not allow open air fires on typical residential lots. City rules only permit a narrow exception called a confined fire, an open air fire kept within a non-combustible perimeter and used solely to cook food on a grill, supervised at all times. Outdoor fireplaces, boilers, chimineas and similar solid fuel flame producing devices are explicitly prohibited within the city because they contravene the Ontario Fire Code as applied here.
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 city and Elgin County jointly issue open fire bans during hot, dry stretches, most recently lifted in August 2025; these are announced through the fire department and city news page. St. Thomas is in southwestern Ontario, well outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone, which only applies to the northern and central fire regions.
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.
St. Thomas backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in St. Thomas?
St. Thomas does not allow open air fires on typical residential lots. City rules only permit a narrow exception called a confined fire, an open air fire kept within a non-combustible perimeter and used solely to cook food on a grill, supervised at all times. Outdoor fireplaces, boilers, chimineas and similar solid fuel flame producing devices are explicitly prohibited within the city because they contravene the Ontario Fire Code as applied here. Source: City of St. Thomas, Fire Department / Fire Prevention, last checked 2026-07-02.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in St. Thomas?
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 St. Thomas today?
The city and Elgin County jointly issue open fire bans during hot, dry stretches, most recently lifted in August 2025; these are announced through the fire department and city news page. St. Thomas is in southwestern Ontario, well outside the provincial Restricted Fire Zone, which only applies to the northern and central fire regions. 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 St. Thomas?
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 St. Thomas's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in St. Thomas?
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 City of St. Thomas, Fire Department / Fire Prevention, last checked 2026-07-02. Because backyard fire pits and chimineas are not permitted at all, enforcement falls to the fire department and by-law officers responding to complaints rather than a permit system; a propane or charcoal barbecue used for cooking is the practical workaround.
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: Aylmer, Central Elgin, Dutton/Dunwich, Malahide. Or see every municipality.