Open Air Burning & Fire Permits

An approved permit is required for all open-air disposal burns.

Cost and Expiry:

Annual permits cost $40.00 and expire on December 31st, regardless of the purchase date.

Eligibility and Use

• Open Air Fire Permits are not transferable.
• No person under the age of eighteen (18) years may apply for or obtain a Fire Permit.

Processing Time:

Please allow up to 5 business days for the Township to review your application and confirm your site meets safety requirements.

If you have any questions or would like to know the status of your application please email jbradley@huronkinloss.com or call the office 519-395-3735.

To prevent the spread of fire, your burn pile must be at least 30 metres (100 feet) away from:

• Public roadways and property lines.
• Buildings or wooden structures.
• Combustible areas (dead grass, grain fields, bushes, or woodlots).

Certain materials are not permitted to be burned in the Township of Huron‑Kinloss, as they create excessive smoke, release toxins, or pose increased risk to people, property, and the environment.

Prohibited materials include:

• Accelerants: Flammable or combustible liquids used to start or "help" the fire.
• Automotive & Mechanical: Vehicle bodies (cars/trucks), tires, rubber, oil, grease, and rags.
• Construction & Renovation: Insulation, asphalt shingles, wire, and plastics.
• Household Waste: Paper, cardboard, and general garbage.
• Organic Yard Waste: Leaves, grass clippings, straw, or hay.
• Treated Wood: Any wood that is painted, stained, laminated, or pressure-treated.

Burning the following prohibited materials may result in fines.

Only proceed if all of the following are true:

• Permit: I have an approved and paid Open Air Fire Permit.
• Materials: I am burning only clean wood or brush (no leaves, grass, or waste).
• Signage: My “Controlled Burn in Progress” sign is visible at the property entrance.
• Setback: My pile is at least 30m (100ft) from all structures, roads, and fields.
• Size: The pile is no larger than 6m x 6m (20ft x 20ft).
• Height: The pile is no higher than 2m (6ft).
• Fire Ban: I have confirmed there is no active Fire Ban in the Township.
• Wind: Wind speeds do not exceed 16 km/h (10 mph).
• Time: It is currently between sunrise and sunset.
• Supervision: A competent adult will be on-site until the fire is completely out.
• Equipment: Shovels, water, or other extinguishing equipment are immediately available to control or extinguish the fire if needed.

An approved permit is required for all fires in Huron-Kinloss on the Lake Huron shoreline.

Cost and Expiry:

• Annual permits cost $40.00 and expire on December 31st, regardless of the purchase date.

Processing Time:

• Please allow up to 5 business days for the Township to review your application and confirm your site meets safety requirements.

Approval:

• Your permit is your official authorization. You must have a digital or physical copy of your approved permit with you while burning on the beach.

To keep our beaches safe for pedestrians and protect local ecosystems, the following rules apply:

Location:

Fires must not disturb pedestrians or damage beach vegetation/sand dunes.

Mandatory Cleanup:

Once finished, you must:

1. Extinguish the fire completely with water.

2. Clear the area of all waste, charcoal, or refuse.

3. Cover the extinguished coals/pit with sand to ensure no heat remains.

To prevent the spread of fire to nearby properties or vegetation, your beach fire must be at least:

• 3 metres (10 feet) from any wooden structures, boardwalks, or fences.

• 3 metres (10 feet) from any woodlots, trees, or beach grass.

To reduce smoke and pollution, only clean, dry firewood (maximum 60cm/24in length) is permitted.

• No Yard Waste: Burning leaves, grass clippings, straw, or hay is prohibited.

• No Household Waste: Burning plastics, rubber, construction debris, or treated/painted wood is prohibited.

Only proceed if all of the following are true:

• Eligibility: I am an Owner or Tenant with an approved and paid Beach Fire Permit.
• Size: The fire is no larger than 1m x 1m (3.28ft x 3.28ft).
• Setback: The fire is at least 3m (10ft) from structures and vegetation.
• Fire Ban: There is no active Fire Ban in effect.
• Wind: Wind speeds do not exceed 16 km/h (10 mph).
• Equipment: Water, sand, or other extinguishing equipment is immediately available.
• Cleanup: The fire will be completely extinguished, all waste removed, and coals covered with sand afterward.

To prevent the spread of fire, your fire pit must be at least 3 metres (10 feet) away from:

• Structures: Buildings, sheds, decks, and fences.

• Boundaries: Property lines and public roadways.

• Combustibles: Dead grass, grain fields, bushes, or woodlots.

To reduce smoke and pollution, only clean, dry firewood (maximum 60cm/24in length) is permitted.

• No Yard Waste: Burning leaves, grass clippings, straw, or hay is prohibited.

• No Household Waste: Burning plastics, rubber, construction debris, or treated/painted wood is prohibited.

Only proceed if all of the following are true:

• Fire Ban: There is no active Fire Ban in effect.
• Wind: Wind speeds do not exceed 16 km/h (10 mph).
• Container: The fire is in an approved pit, masonry ring, or chiminea.
• Size: The fire is no larger than 1 m × 1 m (3.28 ft × 3.28 ft).
• Setback: The fire is at least 3 m (10 ft) from all structures and property lines.
• Supervision: A competent adult will remain on‑site at all times.
• Equipment: A hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher is immediately available to control or extinguish the fire if needed.