After good dousing, OFS fire ban lifted

OTTAWA – Following a good dousing today (July 18) still going on, the Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) has lifted the fire ban initiated just a couple of days ago.

“Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) has lifted the open-air fire ban in the City of Ottawa,” Nicholas DeFazio released in a statement today. “Remember, City of Ottawa residents must obtain an Open Air Fire Permit (Burn Permit) in order to have an open air fire or use an outdoor wood burning fireplace.”

Roughly 10 millimetres of rain was expected today, and residents woke up to it already coming down.

All burn permits are issued and regulated under the Open Air Fire Bylaw No. 2004-163. Prior to setting an open-air fire, you must first contact the OFS Communications Centre at 613-580-2880.

“Open air fires including outdoor fireplaces are prohibited at all times in most densely populated urban and suburban areas,” DeFazio said. “You can use the online burn permit application tool to verify if your property is eligible for a permit.”

Devices that do not require a permit include:

Outdoor natural gas, propane or ethanol fireplaces.

Approved cooking appliances include gas, charcoal or propane BBQ/hibachis or gas or propane outdoor fireplace [must be ULC approved]. Note: the device must be designed and intended solely for the cooking of food in the open air. It must not be used to burn wood, tree limbs, branches and/or non-compostable material.

For public inquiries please call 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or email 311.