Residents are encouraged to regularly check the Provincial Fire Hazard Map provided by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture and to follow the associated guidelines to practice fire safety. 

Before lighting a backyard fire or using a Permit to Burn issued by the SJRFD, it’s important to understand what the current fire risk level means for St. John’s, Mount Pearl, and Paradise:

Low or Moderate (Blue/Green):

• Open fires permitted with a valid permit to burn
• Outdoor wood-burning appliances, propane appliances, and charcoal/propane BBQs are allowed
• Contact your municipality to confirm if a permit is required

High (Yellow):

• Open fires with a permit to burn are prohibited.
• Propane and wood-burning appliances, and charcoal/propane BBQs are allowed

Very High or Extreme (Orange/Red):

• No open fires permitted, including those with a permit
• No outdoor wood-burning appliances permitted
• Propane appliances and charcoal/propane BBQs are permitted only if the units are not used within 3.5 metres of any trees, brush or other flammable material. Coals used while barbecuing, or as part of any other burning unit, must be extinguished before being safely discarded.

Provincial Fire Ban (Black)

• Applies to the entire province, regardless of the index rating in a particular region.
• No open fires or outdoor wood-burning appliances permitted
• Propane appliances and charcoal/propane BBQs are permitted only if the units are not used within 3.5 metres of any trees, brush or other flammable material. Coals used while barbecuing, or as part of any other burning unit, must be extinguished before being safely discarded.
• Off-road vehicles must be equipped with a proper screening or baffling device to prevent sparks from escaping. Operators must carry a fire extinguisher with a minimum of 225 grams of ABC-class dry chemical when travelling in grassy or wooded areas.

Please be fire safe when using outdoor wood burning and propane burning appliances - keep a hose or fire extinguisher handy and follow manufacturers requirements regarding clearances from combustible materials. Also, we would like to remind citizens that, if you smoke, do not throw your lit cigarette butt on the ground or out of a vehicle window.

The SJRFD will share information from Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture on the Fire Hazard Rating on our Facebook page. Residents can also follow Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture NL on social media for up-to-date fire hazard ratings.

For more information contact officeofthefirechief@stjohns.ca.