Windsor Fire and Rescue Services (WFRS) is reminding residents that open burning is not allowed within the city and getting caught could come with a hefty fine.
Fire Chief Jamie Waffle said crews have already responded to more than 50 incidents related to illegal burning this year.
“Typically, the uptick comes in the nice weather. Sometimes we’ll see it in the wintertime a little bit, but you see a few nice days, and the calls start to go up,” he said.
A city bylaw that took effect in February 2025 allows Windsor to charge violators a cost-recovery fee based on Ministry of Transportation rates.
“Ministry of Transportation rates are $570 per vehicle, per piece of apparatus, and a 10 per cent administrative fee, plus HST,” Waffle said.
“So, you’re looking at about $700 if you’re burning without a burn permit.”
The rule applies to cases where a permit has been denied or where a resident never applied but still proceeded with an open fire.
Waffle said there are multiple reasons why open burning is not permitted in Windsor.
“There’s a fire safety message for one, you don’t want to lose control of it,” he said.
“There’s the air quality, public health. There’s the nuisance control; you have neighbour disputes often; you see neighbour disputes with open burns.”
Under the bylaw, open-air burning includes everything from fire pits and campfires to burn barrels, outdoor fireplaces and sky lanterns. However, appliances designed for outdoor cooking such as gas, propane or charcoal barbecues are allowed.