Backyard fires in Tweed

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

The Fire Chief may declare a total fire ban, which revokes all burning permits and prohibits all open-air fires.

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 Tweed

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.