Burning during wildfire season

The wildfire season in New Brunswick is from the third Monday in April to October 31.

Before you start burning, check with your municipality to avoid violating local laws. If your area does not have specific regulations, follow the provincial guidelines.

Burning without a permit is a punishable offense and may result in a fine.

For category 1 fires, call the toll-free number 1-866-458-8080 or 506-444-5445 (in the Fredericton area) for daily burn status.

Written burn permits are required for category 2, 3 and 4 fires. Call or visit a Natural Resources office to obtain a burn permit.

Outside of wildfire season, contact the Environment and Local Government or call 506-453-2690 for assistance.

Includes campfires and burning wood material

• Piles may be no larger than three meters in diameter
• Piles may not exceed two meters in height
• No more than four piles may burn simultaneously
• Multiple piles must be at least 10 meters apart
• Fires must be constantly attended
• Permission from the landowner is required
• Certain material, such as pressure treated wood must not be burned

For category 1 fires, you must follow the daily burn status. A written permit is not required. Call the toll-free number 1-866-458-8080 or 506-444-5445 (in the Fredericton area) for daily burn status.

The three levels of burning permission are granted depending on weather and current fire conditions. The daily burn status is updated daily at 2 p.m. during the fire season.

1. Green: Burning allowed
2. Yellow: Burn permitted between 8 p.m. – 8 a.m.
3. Red: No burning allowed

Larger fires that are not blueberry fields or prescribed burning 

• Piles larger than three meters in diameter
• Piles exceeding two meters in height
• More than four piles can burn simultaneously
• A written permit from the Department is necessary, and the site must undergo pre-inspection by a forest service officer
• Permission from the landowner is also required
• Fires must be attended at all times

Blueberry field fires

• A written permit from the Natural Resources and Energy Development is necessary
• The site must undergo a pre-inspection by a forest service officer
• Permission from the landowner is required
• Fires must be attended at all times

Prescribed burning or controlled burning used for specific forest management or land use purposes, including grass fires. Note: Spring wildfires are often caused by grass fires that rapidly spread to nearby forests or damage property.

• The site must undergo a pre-inspection by a forest service officer
• A written burn plan and permission from the landowner is required
• Fires must be attended at all times
• Lighting a grass fire without a written permit is a punishable offense and may result in a fine

When it comes to burning grass, it's important to have the right facts to make informed decisions.

Important things/facts to know:

• Fire hazards: Burning dry grass can lead to fast-spreading fires and when combined with drying winds, can be dangerous to property and the safety of others
• Weed control: Contrary to what many people believe, spring grass burning does not effectively control weeds. Instead, it can help weed seeds to grow, creating more weeds
• Impact on grass growth: Burning grass decreases grass growth by 50 to 70 per cent
• Wildlife and habitat: Burning grass can destroy wildlife habitat, including nests, eggs, and homes of many animals and various species. It can harm the animals you see and the hidden wildlife you can’t see. Burning can harm an entire ecosystem
• Restoration time: The loss of habitat for many animals and species due to burning can take many years to recover. Different layers of vegetation play a key role in supporting various species, and their loss can have a long-term impact
• Soil and environmental concerns: Burning grass results in the loss of essential nutrients and the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Alternatives like decomposition or incorporating plants back into the soil provide better ecological benefits
• Responsibility and legal consequences: Under the Forest Fires Act, individuals lighting fires are fully responsible for their control. If a fire gets out of hand, they may be held liable for firefighting costs and damage to others' property, and they could face criminal penalties for violating burning regulations

To ensure a safe and responsible burning, please do the following:

• Avoid burning in a manner that could reduce visibility on roadways
• Make sure the fire is always supervised to maintain control and to manage any dangers
• Be a good neighbour and tell them about your plans to burn