St. Marys residents reminded to follow open air burning and firework rules ahead of Victoria Day weekend

With the Victoria Day long weekend approaching, the Town of St. Marys would like to remind residents of some safety measures required to enjoy open air burning and setting off fireworks within the town.

An Open Air Burn Permit is required for all open air burning in town, including backyard campfires and outdoor fireplaces. Residents can apply online at www.townofstmarys.com/burnpermit or in person at the Municipal Operations Centre (408 James St. S). The fee is $25.

The permit requirement is part of the Open Air Burning By-Law, which was enacted by Council in 2017. The by-law provides guidelines for when open air fires can be set, how big fires can be, what materials can be burned, and how far fires must be from structures, like houses and sheds. The by-law also authorizes the Fire Chief or a delegate to issue an Order to Discontinue Activity and an Order to Extinguish.

The Fire Department reminds residents to never leave a fire unattended, never burn when it is windy and always have a source of water available to be able to extinguish the fire.

In St. Marys, the sale and use of fireworks is governed by By-law 57-2021. This by-law states that fireworks can be set off on Victoria Day (May 18, 2026) or two days before/after. Fireworks must be set off between dusk and 11:00 p.m. and can only be set off on private property.

Practicing safe open air burning and responsible fireworks use is essential for protecting our community. This upcoming long weekend is an excellent opportunity for all St. Marys residents to remember the importance of following local rules to keep everyone safe and ensure a fun, worry-free celebration.

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For media inquiries:   
Lauren Thomson-Vernooy, Corporate Communications Coordinator  
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | lthomson@town.stmarys.on.ca