On this page
- Permits to Burn
- Cancellations and bans
- I'm cleaning up my property. Do I need a permit to burn brush?
- Do I need a permit to clear farmland?
- Do I need a permit to have a campfire?
- Do I need a permit to use a gas, kerosene, propane or charcoal burning unit?
- Do I need a permit to use an incinerator?
Forest Fire Season is declared each year from mid-spring to early autumn when the risk of wildfires is highest.
Most wildfires that occur in Newfoundland and Labrador are caused by people and can be prevented. During Forest Fire Season, restrictions on outdoor burning and certain activities are in place to reduce the risk of human‑caused wildfires and protect people, property, and natural resources.
During Forest Fire Season, a Permit to Burn is required to burn vegetation, brush, debris, wood, paper products or other flammable material on forest land, within 300 metres of forest land, or on land that contains flammable vegetation.
- Forest land includes any area where natural vegetation grows, such as forests, yards, fields, parks, paths, greenbelts, dry marsh, bogland, and barrens.
- Flammable vegetation includes living or dead plant material that may easily ignite, sustain combustion, and enable the spread of fire.
Permits to Burn
Burn permits are free and available from provincial Forest Management District offices.
Some municipalities also issue burn permits. Always check local municipal bylaws before burning. Permit holders must follow all permit conditions:
- Burning is only allowed on the date(s), time(s), and location listed on the permit.
- Burning is not allowed when a fire ban is in effect or when the Fire Weather Index is:
- Yellow (high risk).
- Orange (very high risk).
- Red (extreme risk).
- A responsible adult must attend the fire at all times and remain on site until the fire is fully extinguished.
- Adequate fire‑suppression tools such as water, pumps, or hand tools must be on site and ready for use.
- The fire must be kept a safe distance from trees, brush, buildings, and other flammable material.
- Burning must be done in a way that limits sparks, spread, and smoke, and does not create a hazard to people, property, or nearby forests.
- The permit holder is fully responsible for the fire and potentially, for any damage or suppression costs if the fire escapes.
- The fire must be completely extinguished before leaving the site.
- Burn permits may be cancelled or suspended at any time if conditions change or if permit conditions are not followed.
Cancellations and bans
Burn permits are invalid when the Fire Weather Index is yellow (high risk), orange (very high risk), or red (extreme risk).
Outdoor fires, including campfires, are not permitted when the Fire Weather Index is orange (very high risk) or red (extreme risk).
I'm cleaning up my property. Do I need a permit to burn brush?
Yes. A Permit to Burn is required to burn vegetation, brush, debris, wood, paper products or other flammable material in an open fire on forest land, within 300 metres of forest land, or on land that contains flammable vegetation.
Property owners should note that burning grass is a dangerous activity. Grass fires can spread quickly and are a leading cause of wildfires. They can escape control rapidly, especially in dry or windy conditions, and often lead to wildfire responses.
Anyone who starts a grass fire is legally responsible if they lose control of it.
Do I need a permit to clear farmland?
Yes. A permit is required to burn brush, vegetation, and other materials for agricultural purposes.
Do I need a permit to have a campfire?
No. A burn permit is not required for recreational campfires, backyard fires, or boil ups during Forest Fire Season if they are conducted safely and follow provincial regulations.
Burning restrictions or fire bans may be put in place if weather conditions or wildfire risk increase.
Check the Forest Fire Hazard Rating to determine the risk in your area.
You may have fire without a Permit to Burn only if one of the following applies:
- The fire is lit with permission on a prepared site in a managed park with facilities to contain open fires. Fire suppression equipment must be available (for example, a campfire in a provincial or private park).
- The fire is lit on sand, gravel, rock, or mineral soil (such as a beach fire) and is no larger than 0.5 metres in width and height.
- The fire is set at least one metre from flammable material and three metres from overhanging branches.
- The fire is lit in a fully contained, non‑combustible outdoor fire pit, and:
- The unit completely contains the fire and is screened to prevent sparks.
- The unit rests on legs and sits on non‑combustible material (such as patio stone or gravel) covering at least 1.5 square metres.
- The unit is placed at least 3.5 metres from flammable material.
- Ashes are fully extinguished and disposed of on mineral soil at least 15 metres from wood, brush, or other flammable material.
- At least eight litres of water and a shovel are available.
- The fire is attended at all times.
Do I need a permit to use a gas, kerosene, propane or charcoal burning unit?
No. A burn permit is not required, as long as the following conditions are met:
- The burning unit is placed at least 3.5 metres from trees, woods, brush, or other flammable material.
- All coals are fully extinguished before being discarded.
- During a fire ban, gas, kerosene, propane, or charcoal‑burning units may still be used only if they are at least 3.5 metres from any trees, brush, or other flammable material.
Do I need a permit to use an incinerator?
No. A burn permit is not required if all of the following conditions are met:
- The fire is contained in an incinerator unit that fully holds the fire and is screened to prevent sparks.
- The incinerator is located on private property and is at least 15 metres from woods, brush, or other flammable material.
- The incinerator is in good working order.
- An attendant is on site when the Fire Weather Index is yellow (high risk), orange (very high risk), or red (extreme risk).