Household fire pits, fireplaces, and outdoor cooking

No fire ban in effect for Winnipeg.

 You may need a permit for your open-air fire.

You do not need a permit for:  

  • Fires in an approved container on a residential property (like a fire in an approved fire pit in a backyard). 

  • Portable barbecues used as directed by the manufacturer. 

  • Appliances approved by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA). 

Backyard fire pits, fire tables, fire bowls, & chimneys 

An approved fire pit must: 

  • Be enclosed on all sides and made of masonry, concrete, heavy gauge metal, or non-combustible materials.  

  • Have at least 15cm (6 in) above the surrounding grade/land, but no more than 60 cm (24in) in depth when measured from the top of the pit opening to the bottom of the pit.  

  • Have an opening and cooking area smaller than 75 cm (2.5 ft) in diameter or an area of .56m2 (6 ft2). The width and length must be smaller than 75 cm (2.5 ft.). 

  • Have a spark arrestor grille or mesh with openings smaller than 12 mm (1/2 in). The spark arrester covers the entire area of the fire pit opening. 

Outdoor fireplaces 

An outdoor fireplace must:  

  • Be made of masonry, concrete, or heavy gauge metal  

  • Have a chimney as part of the fireplace. The chimney opening must have a spark arrester with openings smaller than 12 mm (1/2 in). 

  • Have a side opening in the fire chamber smaller than 12 mm (1/2 in) or 75 cm (2.5 ft) in width or length. The side opening must be covered by a spark arrestor with openings smaller than 12mm (1/2 in).  

Outdoor barbecues 

An outdoor barbecue must:  

  • Be made of masonry, concrete, or heavy gauge metal  

  • Be enclosed on all sides with openings covered by a spark arrestor that has openings smaller than 12mm or (1/2 in).  

  • Have a cooking surface between 75 cm (2.5 ft) and 120 cm (4 ft) above ground level.  

  • Have a cooking surface smaller than 75 cm (2ft) in diameter or .56m2 (6 ft2) in area. 

Gas fireplaces 

All gas fireplaces in every type of building except one- and two-family dwellings must be inspected every year, even if you don’t use the fireplace. 

Services providers must have a license from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and a Gas Fitters license from the Province of Manitoba. 

Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces must be used safely and with care to prevent fires. 

A wood-burning stove should:

  • be inspected annually by a qualified service technician. 

  • Have a sturdy metal screen that can stop sparks from flying into the room. 

  • Use proper fuel: use only dry, seasoned wood to prevent creosote building. Never use gasoline or flammable liquids to start a fire. 

  • Never be left unattended. Do not go to sleep with a fire burning. 

You should have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Always dispose of cooled ashes at least 3 meters away from your home or other buildings. Store cooled ashes in a covered metal container until you are ready to dispose of them. 

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