Backyard fires in Thunder Bay
Whether a backyard fire or fire pit is allowed in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the permit rule, coverage level, and how to check today's fire ban.
Thunder Bay has an active fire ban due to current fire and poor air quality conditions; the city has temporarily suspended new fire permit applications until conditions improve. Outside of the ban, backyard and open-air fires require a permit from the municipality and must follow by-law rules on clean dry wood, safe distance from buildings, and being attended until fully out.
Municipal ruleGas versus wood
Gas and propane appliances are usually treated separately from open-air wood burning, but Thunder Bay safety, placement, and temporary-ban rules still apply.
Today's fire ban
Check Ontario's fire restrictions and Forest Fire Information Map for the provincial layer. Then check Thunder Bay for any local fire ban or open-air burning permit rule.
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 Thunder Bay
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.
Thunder Bay backyard fire questions
Can I have a backyard fire in Thunder Bay?
Thunder Bay has an active fire ban due to current fire and poor air quality conditions; the city has temporarily suspended new fire permit applications until conditions improve. Outside of the ban, backyard and open-air fires require a permit from the municipality and must follow by-law rules on clean dry wood, safe distance from buildings, and being attended until fully out. Source: City of Thunder Bay, last checked 2026-08-18.
Are gas or propane fire pits allowed in Thunder Bay?
Gas and propane appliances are usually treated separately from open-air wood burning, but Thunder Bay safety, placement, and temporary-ban rules still apply.
How do I know if there is a fire ban in Thunder Bay today?
Check Ontario's fire restrictions and Forest Fire Information Map for the provincial layer. Then check Thunder Bay for any local fire ban or open-air burning permit rule. 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 Thunder Bay?
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 Thunder Bay's by-law any time of year.
What happens if I have a fire during a ban in Thunder Bay?
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 Thunder Bay, last checked 2026-08-18. Verified against Thunder Bay's open-air burning by-law (2026-06-27).
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: Conmee, O’Connor, Dorion, Gillies. Or see every municipality.