Open Air Fire Rules & Fire Ban Status

There is not a Fire Ban in Place.

Starting April 1, 2026, several changes to the Wildland Fire Management Act were put into place. The updates were created to help spread awareness around the rules of lighting open-air fires. The changes are designed to prevent unwanted human-caused fires. The updates will help protect communities during wildland fire season.

Within the Wildland Fire Management Act is Ontario Regulation 43/26. This regulation applies to the Ontario Fire Region. For clarification, the Ontario Fire Region includes Bedford District but does not include the Districts of Loughborough, Portland or Storrington. Therefore, residents in Bedford must follow both the Ontario Regulation 43/26 and South Frontenac's By-law Number 2026-37. Residents of Loughborough, Portland or Storrington, however, must follow South Frontenac's By-law Number 2026-36. See map in the FAQ's below.

In addition to municipal fire bans, the Ministry of Natural Resources may also have a fire ban or declare a Restricted Fire Zone for some or all of our region. See this link for the latest information and to check their interactive map. If you live in an area under a Restricted Fire Zone, you must follow MNR guidelines.

Fire Ban Descriptions

Level 1 Fire Ban	Loughborough, Portland and Storrington District: During a Level 1 Fire Ban, no open air fires (including an agricultural fire, brush fire, or open air fire as part of a special event) can be set, except during the following conditions: The open air fire is contained within a non-combustible metal, masonry (brick), ceramic or stone outdoor fireplace or is contained within a pit in the ground that does not exceed 90 centimetres (3 feet) in height, width and length. The material burned in the open air fire is clean dry wood, and is placed in a single pile and does not exceed 90 centimetres (3 feet) in height, width and length. The open air fire must be, at minimum, 5 metres (16 feet) away from any building, structure, hedge, fence, overhead wiring, trees, or other combustible material or the lot line. Water, sand or a fire extinguisher must be immediately available at the site of the open air fire to put the fire out at a moments notice. A mobile phone must be present to call South Frontenac Fire & Rescue if needed. An adult (person over the age of 18) must present and in control of the open air fire at all times. Fireworks are NOT permitted during a Level 1 Burn Ban. Bedford District: During a Level 1 Fire Ban, no open air fires can be set except for the purposes of cooking or obtaining warmth and in accordance with Sections 11-21 of the Wildland Fire Management Regulation and any restrictions imposed by the Fire Chief. Fireworks are NOT permitted during a Level 1 Burn Ban.
Total Fire Ban	Loughborough, Portland and Storrington District: “Total Fire Ban” means a period of time declared by the Fire Chief during which setting of fireworks and all Open Air Fires (including, agricultural fires, brush fires, outdoor appliance fires, outdoor fire place fires, open air fires as part of a special event and open air fires at campgrounds) are prohibited, but does not include outdoor appliances with mechanical shut-off (i.e. propane, naphtha, and natural gas appliances), smokers, barbecues, and charcoal appliances. Bedford District: No Person shall cause or permit a fire to be set during a total fire ban. This means a period of time declared by the Fire Chief during which the setting of fireworks and all fires is prohibited.

Level 1 Fire Ban

Loughborough, Portland and Storrington District:

During a Level 1 Fire Ban, no open air fires (including an agricultural fire, brush fire, or open air fire as part of a special event) can be set, except during the following conditions:

The open air fire is contained within a non-combustible metal, masonry (brick), ceramic or stone outdoor fireplace or is contained within a pit in the ground that does not exceed 90 centimetres (3 feet) in height, width and length.
The material burned in the open air fire is clean dry wood, and is placed in a single pile and does not exceed 90 centimetres (3 feet) in height, width and length.
The open air fire must be, at minimum, 5 metres (16 feet) away from any building, structure, hedge, fence, overhead wiring, trees, or other combustible material or the lot line.
Water, sand or a fire extinguisher must be immediately available at the site of the open air fire to put the fire out at a moments notice. A mobile phone must be present to call South Frontenac Fire & Rescue if needed.
An adult (person over the age of 18) must present and in control of the open air fire at all times.
Fireworks are NOT permitted during a Level 1 Burn Ban.

Bedford District:

During a Level 1 Fire Ban, no open air fires can be set except for the purposes of cooking or obtaining warmth and in accordance with Sections 11-21 of the Wildland Fire Management Regulation and any restrictions imposed by the Fire Chief.

Fireworks are NOT permitted during a Level 1 Burn Ban.

Total Fire Ban

Loughborough, Portland and Storrington District:
“Total Fire Ban” means a period of time declared by the Fire Chief during which setting of fireworks and all Open Air Fires (including, agricultural fires, brush fires, outdoor appliance fires, outdoor fire place fires, open air fires as part of a special event and open air fires at campgrounds) are prohibited, but does not include outdoor appliances with mechanical shut-off (i.e. propane, naphtha, and natural gas appliances), smokers, barbecues, and charcoal appliances.

Bedford District:

No Person shall cause or permit a fire to be set during a total fire ban. This means a period of time declared by the Fire Chief during which the setting of fireworks and all fires is prohibited.

South Frontenac Fire and Rescue personnel will continue to monitor conditions and notify the public of any status changes.

Fire bans can be put in place at any time. Please read the Open Air Burning By-Law related to your district to educate yourself about what types of open air burning is permitted and when.

Residents are reminded that any infraction can result in significant financial penalties. If you have questions or concerns, contact SFFR at 613-376-3027 or by email at fireadmin@southfrontenac.net. We’ve listed some common questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need a permit for open air burning?

No. A burn permit is not required.

What is the difference between an agricultural fire and a brush fire?

An “Agricultural Fire” is an Open Air Fire that is set solely for the purpose of burning wood, tree limbs and branches related to a Farming Business and which exceeds the permitted conditions related to a Brush Fire.

Conditions for an Agricultural Fire:

An Agricultural Fire cannot be set unless all of the following conditions are met:
(a) South Frontenac Fire & Rescue must be contacted by phone (613-376-3027) or email (fireadmin@southfrontenact.net) at least three business days prior to the setting of an Agricultural Fire to determine upon inspection whether approval shall be granted to permit the Agricultural Fire;
(b) The Agricultural Fire must be set no less than 90 metres (295 feet) from any building, hedge, fence, overhead wire, trees, or other combustible material, or a lot line;
(c) The fire cannot exceed 6 metres (20 feet) in height, 6 metres (20 feet) in width and 6 metres (20 feet) in length;
(d) The Agricultural Fire cannot take place during the day. It cannot be lit any earlier than two hours before sunset and must be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise the following day.

A “Brush Fire” is an Open Air Fire that is set solely for the purpose of burning wood, tree limbs, leaves, and branches but does not include an Agricultural Fire;

Conditions For Brush Fires:

An Brush Fire cannot be set unless all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The Brush Fire cannot take place during the day. It cannot be lit any earlier than two hours before sunset and must be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise the following day;
(b) The Brush Fire shall be set no less than 30 metres (98 feet) from any building, hedge, fence, overhead wire, trees, or other combustible material, or a lot line;
(c) The fire cannot exceed 3 metres (10 feet) in height, 3 metres (10 feet) in width and 3 metres (10 feet) in length.

What can't be burned?

The following is a list of prohibited materials that cannot be burned in any open-air fire (for all Township districts).

Combustible materials, including but not limited to:
- rubber
- rubber products
- plastic
- plastic products
- polyethylene terephthalate
- polystyrenes (Styrofoam)
- waste petroleum products
Rubbish
Demolition materials
Metal
Tires
Rubber
Plastic
Fiberglass
Cloth
Asphalt product
Shingles
Insulation
Electrical wiring
Painted or treated wood
Furniture
Synthetic fabrics
Composite wood waste
Residential waste (such as food scraps, diapers and household trash)
Commercial, industrial, manufacturing, or construction waste
Flammable or combustible liquids:
- oils
- paints
- solvents
Batteries
Acids, chemicals, explosives, radioactive, infectious, and other hazardous materials, and
Any material prohibited by the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E. 19, as amended, but shall not include untreated wood and wood fiber products, such as non-laminated paper, cardboard and boxboard, brush, tree limbs, leaves, and branches;

Are there weather conditions that can determine if I can have an open air fire?

There are prohibited conditions in which an open air fire cannot take place. Do not light a fire if:

(a) Wind speeds exceed 25 kilometers per hour, as determined and published by Environment and Climate Change Canada;

(b) A smog alert/smog watch/smog advisory has been declared by Environment and Climate Change Canada and remains in effect; or

(c) Drought or dry weather conditions exist that increase the risk of a burn escaping containment and becoming a wildfire;

(d) Unavailability of Fire Response due to staffing shortage, staff fatigue, and out of service equipment such as forestry hose.

What is the South Frontenac District Map that determines the by-law?

As outlined in the image below, the Ontario Fire Region, for references purposes is defined by the orange line, intersects the Township of South Frontenac along the Bedford District border.

Map distinguishing the lines between the districts in South Frontenac. — The Ontario Fire Region includes the Bedford District but does not include the Districts of Loughborough, Portland or Storrington. Therefore, residents in Bedford must follow both Ontario Regulation 43/26 and By-law Number 2026-37, while residents of Loughborough, Portland or Storrington must follow South Frontenac's By-law Number 2026-36.

Can I have a fire when it's windy?

If you will be lighting an open air fire, be sure to check your weather app first. Open air fires are NOT permitted when wind speeds exceed 25 kilometers per hour. Please be responsible and do not burn when it is windy.