No open-air burn permits being issued in Mississauga due to wildfires

The Mississauga fire department isn’t issuing any new open-air burn permits as wildfires continue to rage in Quebec and other parts of Canada.

City of Mississauga officials said in an email statement that “Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services has not issued any new open-air burn permits at the moment, or in the last three weeks.”

The statement continues, noting that the wildfires in Quebec have caused smoke to blanket Mississauga and other areas across southern Ontario.

“Smoke and haze continue to move through the city. A special air quality advisory has been issued for Mississauga,” officials say. “The City will continue to monitor conditions and provide any necessary updates to residents regarding open-air burning.”

The City reminds residents that they can be fined if they fail to comply with open-air burning restrictions of the Ontario Fire Code and the City’s Open-Air Burning Bylaw.

Open-air burning, which includes bonfires, fire pits, sky lanterns and the use of various types of outdoor fireplaces such as chimineas, is allowed in Mississauga.

However, residents may need an open-air burn permit before starting their fire.

“You’ll need a permit to set or maintain a fire in any open place, yard, field or construction area, which is not enclosed by a building or structure,” City officials say.

Structures such as outdoor fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, smokers and pizza ovens do not require a permit, they add.

However, the Mississauga fire department reminds all residents to be cautious while using those items.

Among other rules under the bylaw, people must:

• ensure their fire is located at least five metres away from any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or anything else that could catch fire and burn easily
• make sure that their fire won’t cause a nuisance through issues such as excessive smoke or smell
• watch and control a fire until it’s extinguished
• have a fire extinguisher or garden hose available

A number of GTA municipalities have temporarily banned open-air fires, including Brampton.

For more information, visit the City of Mississauga website.