Open Air Burning in PCSP

UPDATE – August 5, 2020:

Public Advisory

Portugal Cove St. Philip’s Volunteer Fire Department Now Issuing Permits to Burn for Open Fires

The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources has lifted the restrictions previously put in place regarding Open Air Fires. (https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2020/flr/0731n08/). The Portugal Cove St. Philip’s Volunteer Fire Department wishes to advise residents of Portugal Cove St. Philip’s that Permits for Open Air Fires, for the purposes of burning brush and other non-prohibited materials are available online here.  Due to COVID-19, the Portugal Cove St. Philip’s Volunteer Fire Department remains closed for in-person counter service until further notice, but should a resident require telephone support to obtain a permit, please call the Town Hall at 895-8000.

Residents are also reminded that a Permit to Burn is required from the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources which is only available by calling 729-4180 during the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM. This permit is required in conjunction with a permit from the Portugal Cove St. Philip’s Volunteer Fire Department permit up until September 30th. Residents must obtain the Fisheries and Land Resources Permit prior to applying for a PCSP permit.

We encourage residents to assess the forest fire risk, the Fire Hazard Index can be found here: https://www.gov.nl.ca/flr/faa/forestry/forest-fires/fire-hazard-map-forecast/ Also, be courteous of neighbours while burning and familiarize yourselves with the Town’s Open-Air Fire Regulations which can be found here https://pcsp.ca/site/uploads/2016/07/pcsp-open-air-fire-regulations-2015-adopted-may-3-2016.pdf

Questions can be directed to the Town Hall at 895-8000 or by email to the Office of the Fire Chief [email protected]

A permit is not required for use of outdoor fire pits, wood burning ovens, chimeneas or fire barrels nor are permits required.  However, please refer to backyard fireplace safety tips below:

Backyard Fireplace Safety Tips


The following information below applies for all residents of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s. 

Residents or persons wishing to have an open air fire for the burning of brush or grass during spring clean-up are reminded that this is an extremely dangerous time for doing so. Dead vegetation and dry grass is extremely susceptible to quick fire spread on dry days.

Residents are reminded that a town permit is required at any time during the year for open air burning. The application for an open air permit is now available online here.

Note: Permits are issued only for the burning of natural brush and grass etc. It is not permissible to utilize such a fire to dispose of garbage, building materials or other debris.

Furthermore, persons are reminded that the 2019 forest fire season is in effect from May 1 to September 30 (The 2020 season dates are not yet announced). During forest fire season, two permits are required for open air burning:

(1)  First, persons MUST acquire a permit from the Forestry Office at Paddy’s Pond for any open air fires.

(2)  Second, persons must present their obtained Forestry permit in order to acquire the town permit.

Please contact the Fire Department at 895-8000 ext. 267, or the town office front desk for any other information required.

The town burning regulation may be viewed at the following link:

https://pcsp.ca/site/uploads/2016/07/pcsp-open-air-fire-regulations-2015-adopted-may-3-2016.pdf