Council reaffirmed that recreational fires are not permitted in the City of Niagara Falls, but did approve wood burning cooking fires.
At the regular Council meeting held on Tuesday April 26, 2016, City Council amended the current Open Air Burning By-law to include nuisance provisions created from cooking fires. Council reaffirmed that recreational fires are not permitted in the City of Niagara Falls, but did approve wood burning cooking fires.
Small, confined, cooking fires, under the following guidelines are permitted in the City:
The size of the fire must be comparable with the type and quantity of food being cookedFor example: A cooking fire to toast marshmallows would be small, and only active for short period of time.
- Cooking fires must be extinguished by 11:00 p.m.
- The cooking fire must be supervised by an adult at all times
- A suitable means to extinguish the cooking fire must be present (ex. A garden hose, fire extinguisher, etc.)
- Cooking fires cannot be conducted during strong windsAs a guideline, a wind over 15km/h is considered a strong wind
- It is recommended that cooking fires be located 15 feet away from all combustible buildings and structures
- Cooking fires must be confined with a physical barrier (ex. Rocks all the way around the perimeter, tire rim, etc.)
A nuisance would be created if the smoke coming from the cooking fire affects neighbouring properties. If it is determined to be a nuisance fire, the fire will be extinguished immediately. If the Fire Department responds to a repeated nuisance offence within the next 12 months, the property owner will be subject to a $450.00 fee.
View the Nuisance Amendments to the Open Air Burning By-law.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Fire Prevention Office, City of Niagara Falls Fire Department
Phone: 905-356-1321 ext. 2207
