St. John’s reminds residents permits required for open-air fires

The City of St. John’s and the St. John’s Regional Fire Department are reminding residents that permits are required for most open-air fires within city limits as fire season gets underway.

The reminder follows recent reports of fires in wooded areas and growing concerns about fire safety as warmer weather arrives.

Open-air fires include bonfires, brush fires, backyard burning, campfires and any fire not fully enclosed within an approved outdoor wood-burning appliance.

Residents wishing to light an open-air fire must first obtain a permit from the St. John’s Regional Fire Department. To qualify, fires must not exceed 1.5 square metres in size, only one fire may be burning at a time, and the fire must be located at least 15 metres from brush, debris and other combustible materials.

Permit holders are also required to supervise fires at all times and have water or firefighting equipment readily available.

A separate permit from Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands may also be required, depending on the circumstances.

The city said permits are not required for approved outdoor wood-burning appliances, such as compliant backyard fire pits, provided all regulations are followed. Those appliances must be enclosed, fitted with a spark screen or mesh cover, positioned at least 4.5 metres from buildings and combustible materials, and placed on a non-combustible surface.