Thinking of having a backyard fire? The City offers two types of permits for outdoor burning. The associated by-laws provide rules and guidelines to ensure residents' safety. Permits are for recreational purposes only.
The fire danger rating is currently low. Fires are permitted within an approved Outdoor Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance if an OSFBA permit has been obtained. Open-air burning is permitted if an Open-Air Burn Permit has been obtained.
Should a fire ban come into effect, this page will be updated, a press release will be issued, and notice will be posted on Barrie Fire's X channel.
Outdoor Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance (OSFBA) Permit
This type of burn permit is the most common type issued to residents.
An approved OSFBA is designed to use solid fuel in the form of clean, dry wood. It is made of noncombustible materials, is enclosed on all sides, and has a spark arresting device for all vents and chimneys. A gas or electric fireplace is not a solid-fuel burning appliance.
Outdoor burning can only be done by residents who meet the requirements in the Outdoor Solid Fuel Burning Appliances By-law and obtain a burn permit.
For property owners and tenants with property owners permission, permits are available for purchase online, or at Fire Station 1 (BFES Headquarters) 155 Dunlop St W, Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Permits cost $23 (as per Schedule G of the Fees By-law) and are issued per calendar year, expiring on December 31 of each year. Processing of the permit can generally take 3–5 business days. During that time, the emailed proof of payment can be used to substitute the permit.
Tenants must provide their landlord’s permission to obtain a burn permit. Written consent must be submitted with the application every year. Landlords can complete an owner authorization form. Alternatively, a permission letter can be submitted, which must clearly state the name, address, and contact information of both the current property owner and tenant. Phone calls and text messages will not be accepted.
Apply for an OSFBA permit via APLI
If you require assistance, please call 705-728-3199 or email FireSupport@barrie.ca during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30am–4:30pm).
Open-Air Burn Permit
Open-air burn permits are rare, due to their unique requirements. Unlike OSFBA permits, open-air burn permits are issued per day rather than for the remainder of the current calendar year. Residents must meet the requirements in the Open-Air Fires By-law to obtain a permit.
Open-air burning means a fire in any open place or area which is not contained or enclosed, for the purpose of burning branches, brush, clean wood, and clean wood by-products. This includes agricultural fires, and campfires.
The permit fee is $38.50 + HST (as per Schedule G of the Fees By-law). Payment for an open-air burning permit is not available online. Please call 705-728-3199 for direction.
Fire Danger Rating System Definitions
| Rating | Definition |
|---|---|
| Low | Ignition of forest fuels is difficult and spread potential is limited. Fires are permitted within an approved Outdoor Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance if an OSFBA permit has been obtained. Open-air burning is permitted if an Open-Air Burn Permit has been obtained. |
| Moderate | Grasses and dry branches will easily ignite; spread to adjacent fuels would be slow. Control of fire may be difficult. Fires are permitted within an approved Outdoor Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance if an OSFBA permit has been obtained. Open-air burning is permitted if an Open-Air Burn Permit has been obtained. |
| High | Most forest fuels will ignite easily and spread rapidly. Control of fire would be difficult. Fires are permitted within an approved Outdoor Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance for cooking purposes only if an OSFBA permit has been obtained. Open-air burning is not permitted. |
| Extreme | Forest fuels are dry and explosive; sparks will ignite fuels easily and spread would be rapid. Control of fire would be virtually impossible. All types of burning (including OSFBA, open-air, and charcoal barbecues) and the use of fireworks are prohibited. Cooking appliances with a mechanical shutoff, such as propane or natural gas equipment, are permitted during a fire ban. However, they must be placed on a hard surface, deck, or non-flammable area, maintaining a significant distance from any combustible materials. |