Fire pit safety

Fire pit safety

Backyard fire pits, as well as outdoor fire places, wood-burning ovens or chimeneas, should be used properly to ensure the safety of you and your neighbours. Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire.

Always check if a Fire Ban is in effect before starting a fire.

Fire ban status
  • Smoke from fire pits can cause adverse health effects in some people. Consider your neighbours and follow the bylaws related to smoke.
  • Before using your fire pit, familiarize yourself with optimal wind conditions.
    • High wind speeds may send smoke long distances or pose a fire hazard.
    • Low wind speeds won’t easily disperse smoke and can contribute to poor air quality.
  • Placing a metal grill/screen on top of the fire pit reduces the flame's size and helps prevent sparks and embers from escaping and igniting nearby materials.
  • Be aware of the amount noise you are making and be sure to follow the Community Standards Bylaw. 

Burn it where you buy it

Firewood from different locations, regions or provinces can spread unwanted pests and diseases. The firewood you choose has an impact on the health of our local trees. Please click here for more information.

Safety rules for fire pits

  1. Backyard fire pits should be built into the ground, on brick or stone, or in a fire-proof container. Portable fire pits may be used on a deck as long as they sit on brick or stone and not directly on the wood.
  2. Fire pits must be at least two metres away from your property line, house, garage or fence.
  3. Fire pits must not be under any trees, branches, plants or other materials that can catch fire.
  4. All fires in your fire pit must be kept to a reasonable size; 1 metre high and wide. A mesh screen or ‘spark guard’ is required in order to reduce the spread of embers and sparks from wood-burning fire pits. The openings in the mesh screen must not be greater than 1.24 cm across.
  5. Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
    • Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
    • Wood from a different location, region or province
    • Wet or green/fresh cut wood
    • Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
    • Garbage
    • Rubber or plastic
    • Furniture
  6. Always have a way to put out the fire close to your fire pit. Keep a watering hose or a bucket of water nearby.
  7. All fires in your fire pit must be continually supervised.
  8. No Person shall ignite or allow an outdoor fire to burn on a premises:
    • between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday; or
    • between 1:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

To report an unattended fire, such as when the residents have been away from the fire pit for an extended period of time, call 311.

To report an out-of-control fire that is spreading outside of the fire pit, call 911.

Book an outdoor fire pit at select parks for free or learn how to bring your own propane fire pit to a park

Book an outdoor fire pit

Other resources

  • Carbon monoxide alarms

    CO alarms provide the only warning of dangerous CO gases in your home.

  • Home safety program

    Learn how to keep your home and family safe from fire.

  • Home escape plan

    You may have as little as two minutes to escape from a house fire, knowing how to use those minutes can save lives.

  • In your home

    Make sure your home is safe so that you are prepared in the case of an emergency.

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