Burning Permits and Regulations

The Town of Marathon regulates open-air burning under By-law 1463 to help protect public safety and property. A burning permit is required and may only be approved if specific safety criteria are met.

How to Get a Burning Permit

Burning permits are available:

• Online
• In person at the Town Office during regular business hours

General Guidelines

• Fires must be started no earlier than 2 hours before sunset and fully extinguished no later than 2 hours after sunrise.
• The person who lights the fire is responsible for monitoring and controlling it at all times.
• The fire must be fully extinguished before leaving the site.

⚠️ Failure to comply with the by-law may result in fines and the person may be held responsible for the full cost of fire suppression.

Burn Permit Regulations – Key Requirements

To receive and use a burn permit, you must agree to the following:

• Weather Conditions: Fires are not permitted during high winds or when smoke or embers could disturb others or pose a fire risk.
• Clearance: Fires must be at least 6 metres (19.5 feet) from structures, trees, or other flammable materials (or a greater distance if required by the Fire Department).
• Supervision: A responsible adult supervisor must be present at all times, and must ensure the area is safe — especially for children.
• Fire Size: Fires must not exceed 1 square metre in size or grow beyond the ability of the supervisor to control.
• Safety Tools: You must have adequate fire suppression tools on hand — such as water, sand, and shovels. The Fire Department can advise you on what’s required.
• Accelerants: No more than 0.5 litres of flammable liquids (like gasoline) may be used to start a fire — and only with written permission from the Fire Department.
• Cleanup: All ashes and debris must be completely extinguished, cooled, and removed within 24 hours of the fire. Dispose of them properly — not in household garbage.
• Prohibited Materials: It is illegal to burn garbage, household waste, or any materials that create noxious fumes.

Liability Notice

Permit holders are fully responsible for:

• Any injury or property damage caused by the fire.
• Any costs incurred by the Town to respond to or extinguish the fire — including equipment use, billed at Ministry of Transportation rates.