You may not have an open fire without a Burn Permit in the Municipality of West Elgin, as per By-Law 2014-69. To get a Burn Permit, your property must be agriculturally zoned. If you have concerns about unsafe open burning, help us keep our community safe and report the issue.

Apply for a Burn Permit

Starting May 25, 2021 burn permits will be available through a dedicated website, permits will ONLY be available through this portal as of June 15, 2021.  All you need is an email address to get started!  

For residents without an email address or internet access, please contact the Municipal Office during regular business hours for assistance. 

Getting started instructions

1. Click on Apply for Burn Permit or button.
2. New Users click on Create Account (you will only have to do this once)
3. Enter email address
4. Complete the necessary information - name, address, materials and password
5. Confirm burn location.  (Please note website will not allow you to burn in areas not designated for Open Burns under the by-law). 
6. Your Account has been created!
7. Review the Terms and Conditions and select the "I agree" boxes
8. Upload photos (optional)
9. Complete electronic signature 
10. Choose the preferred notification method for communications - this is an automated feature
11. Submit permit.  You will be notified by email once your permit has been reviewed.  DO NOT BURN UNTIL YOU RECIEVE APPROVAL Email.

Existing Users

1. Log into Your Account - enter email and password and click Login Now
2. You will see a list of your permits and their status
3. Click on Renew Permit/New Permit

 Before you start burning

After you receive the approval notification for your permit, you must call 1-833-968-1833 (the number at the top of your Permit) before starting and after your burn. For any issues using the automated line please notify dispatch of your burn at 1-800-511-9911. Your open burn fire must be 30 metres away from all buildings. The materials that you're burning cannot exceed 9 metres squared and 2 metres high.

The Fire Chief, their designate, and By-Law Officials may enter a property without a warrant to investigate complaints and enforce the Burn By-Law.

Campfires

Acceptable burning materials

Acceptable materials that you may burn for open burns and campfires include:

• Wood and wood by-products that are unpainted and untreated;
• Dry brush;
• Charcoal;
• White or brown paper and cardboard for starting a fire.

Under no circumstances should you ever burn garbage, plastics, or rubber.

Fire safety tips

Choose a safe time of the day. You should burn two hours before sunset or later. This is often the coolest, dampest and calmest time of the day.

Never leave your fire unattended. If you start a fire outdoors, you must tend the fire, keep it under control, and extinguish it before you leave the location. Under no circumstances should you leave a fire unsupervised.