Backyard fires in Ontario aren’t always allowed. Whether it’s legal depends on where you live, what you’re burning, and when you’re doing it.
Ontario operates under two levels of regulation. Provincial rules establish the baseline through the Wildland Fire Management Act, while local municipalities often layer on stricter bylaws of their own. As of August 2026, Ontario Regulation 43/26 modernized wildland fire management and tightened compliance measures, taking effect April 1, 2026. The fire season runs from April 1 through October 31, and during that window, the rules are serious: roughly half of all wildland fires in Ontario are caused by humans.
What makes things more complicated is that the rules vary dramatically from one city to the next. What’s perfectly legal in Mississauga could be completely prohibited in Toronto. Before striking a match, always check the Ontario Fire Info Map to confirm current restrictions in your area.
Local Rules for Backyard Fires in the GTA
Toronto’s answer to backyard fires is a flat no. Open-air burning is banned across the city—wood-burning fire pits, chimineas, fire bowls, bonfires, even burn drums. The fact that you can buy a chiminea at any hardware store doesn’t change that.
The one exception is cooking: a small, contained fire on a grill or spit is allowed, as long as it’s proportional to what you’re actually cooking, supervised the entire time, and put out the moment you’re done. Permits exist for cultural or religious ceremonies under Chapter 441, and for designated City Parks events with prior authorization—but these are narrow exceptions, not the norm.
Cross the city line into Mississauga, and the picture changes completely. Backyard fire pits are legal under Bylaw 140-18, no permit required—though the fire department can order you to extinguish any fire deemed a nuisance, and no open-air burning is allowed during a smog alert for the Halton-Peel region. Fire pits must be non-combustible, contained, and no larger than one metre in any direction. In Hamilton, wood-burning fire pits require a permit, while gas or propane units generally do not.
Fire Bans, Restricted Zones, and Provincial Safety Rules
A Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) is a temporary order issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry when fire hazard reaches extreme levels or firefighting resources are stretched thin. Inside one, no outdoor fire is permitted unless a permit specifically allows it or the conditions under Ontario Regulation 43/26 are met. That covers everything: grass, debris, campfires, fire pits, and outdoor fireplaces.
If a municipal fire ban and a provincial RFZ overlap, you must comply with both. Regardless of any ban, open-air fires are never allowed when wind speeds exceed 25 km/h.
Provincial rules require burning piles to be under two metres in diameter and two metres high, with at least two metres of clearance from any flammable material and three metres of open space above the fire—no overhanging branches. Some municipalities have even stricter size and placement rules: The Blue Mountains caps fire pits at one metre in diameter with 7.5 metres of clearance, and requires non-combustible construction.
Timing is also regulated. Under wildland fire rules, fires must be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and fully extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise—when humidity is higher and winds are typically calmer.
Someone must tend the fire from the moment it’s lit until it’s completely out, and a shovel or water source must be on hand. Don’t assume cold ash is safe: embers can stay dangerously hot for more than 24 hours after a fire appears to be out.
Gas and Propane Fire Pits as a Legal Alternative
For GTA homeowners who still want the ambiance of a fire, gas and propane fire pits are the best option. Units fuelled by natural gas, propane, or ethanol are generally treated as contained appliances—no fire permit required—as long as they’re properly installed and used.
In Toronto, patio campfire units certified to ULC and CSA standards qualify as “approved” under the Fire Code. The conditions: supervise the unit at all times, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and keep it clear of combustibles. For placement, maintain at least three metres from any structure, fence, or combustible surface. If you’re installing a built-in unit or running a gas line, use a licensed professional—local bylaw requirements vary.
Leaves, rubbish, plastics, cardboard, and accelerants like gasoline are prohibited everywhere. Beyond the fire risk, burning leaves and garbage releases toxic emissions that can travel onto neighbouring properties.
Penalties for Illegal Burning
Get it wrong, and the financial consequences are real. Under new 2026 regulations, administrative penalties and significant fines can result from unsafe or illegal burning. In Toronto, failure to comply with open-air burning regulations is an offence under the Ontario Fire Code.
As a benchmark, Windsor City Council approved a $570.50 fine for illegal fires in 2025—up from $150 in 2024—indicating the trend toward stricter enforcement across Ontario municipalities.
Transform Your GTA Backyard with Oakly Landscaping
Planning an outdoor fire pit is one thing — but your backyard deserves more than just a fire feature. If you’re a GTA homeowner looking to transform your outdoor space into something truly functional and beautiful, Oakly Landscaping can help. From custom interlock patios and garden beds to full outdoor living setups, their team designs and builds backyards built to last through every Canadian season. Check out their backyard renovation in Mississauga services to see what’s possible. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing an outdated yard, Oakly Landscaping brings your vision to life — right across the GTA.
