OPEN AIR BURNING
Why is burning an issue?
Leamington Fire Service responds to a large number of open air burning complaints every year. These responses needlessly tie up equipment and manpower, which may be needed for other emergency situations. The fire service is mandated to respond to all complaints, or perceived emergencies by the Fire Protection and Prevention Act. We must act on each call received.
Farm practices have changed and so have the items we use during farming operations. Plastics are now common-place in agricultural production. Plastics or hydrocarbons, even in small amounts, when burned can emit toxic fumes that pollute the environment.
 Future generations
The burning we do now will affect our children in the future. Harmful chemicals such as hydrogen chloride or sulphur dioxide are being released every time you burn. These pollutants contaminate the air we breathe as well as the earth and the crops we harvest.
Being a good neighbour
Many of the calls received are from your neighbours who are concerned for their health and your safety. Smoke fills their homes from your fire and causes health problems and irritations. They are concerned for your property and crops, mistaking your fire for an actual emergency situation. Often, open air burning gets out of hand due to dry conditions or changes in the wind patterns. By eliminating your burning, you will reduce the number of emergency responses the fire department must respond to that are a result of open air burning.
Finding alternatives
It is your responsibility as a citizen or an agricultural business owner to find safe alternatives to burning. By composting as much as possible or researching new disposal methods for greenhouse and agricultural waste, you will save yourself, your children and the community money and create a healthy environment.
Bon Fires 
The Ontario Fire Code states:
“Open air burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times and used to cook on a grill or a barbecue.” (O. Reg. 388/97 (2.6.3.4))
All conditions must be met. If they are not met or your fire is cause for a member of the fire department to be called to investigate, the fire will be extinguished.
The Ontario Fire Marshal has deemed the use of clay or patio fireplaces (commonly known as chimineas) to be open air burning, and as such must adhere to the requirements of the Ontario Fire Code and the Environmental Protection Act. The Ontario Fire Code states that “any open air burning must be approved by the Chief Fire Official”. The process that we have in the Municipality of Leamington for approving open air burning is very restrictive. Due to a large number of burning complaints that must be attended and documented under the Fire Protection & Prevention Act requirements, "a small confined, supervised at all times and used to cook food on a grill or barbecue" (OFC 2.6.3.4.)is the only open burning approved by the fire department at this time.
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