Newfoundland Burning Permits for a Campfire on the Trail
A campfire can turn a long Newfoundland ATV ride into a welcome stop, but a trail-side fire is not automatically allowed just because you have a safe-looking spot. Fire-season rules, land access, local restrictions and current fire bans all matter. The safest approach is to check the rules for your exact location before you ride, then treat a permit as necessary whenever the authority says one is required.
Check the fire-season rules before lighting a campfire
Newfoundland and Labrador has seasonal forest-fire rules, and the dates and restrictions can differ between the island and Labrador. The fire season generally starts earlier on the island than in Labrador and runs into the fall. Check the current provincial information before your trip rather than relying on last year’s dates or a calendar alone. For a seasonal overview, see Newfoundland Fire Season Dates.
A burning permit is permission to have a fire under specified conditions; it is not a general pass to light one wherever you happen to stop. Whether a permit is required can depend on the location, the kind of fire, the time of year and the current restrictions. A designated campsite may have a built fire area and its own rules, while a clearing beside a trail may be subject to different requirements. Don’t assume that a small campfire, an existing fire ring or a portable stove is automatically exempt.
Before heading out, check:
- Whether a burning permit is required for the type of fire you plan to have and the area where you plan to have it.
- Whether permits are being issued and what conditions apply.
- Whether a fire ban or other temporary restriction is in effect.
- Whether the land manager, trail operator or municipality has stricter rules.
- Whether the spot is on land where you are allowed to stop and make a fire.
Fire restrictions can change with dry conditions, wind or wildfire activity. A permit, where required, does not necessarily override a later ban or a more restrictive instruction. If the current direction says no open fires, do not light one, even if you have a permit or see an old fire ring.
A useful starting point is Newfoundland Fire Season Riding Restrictions. For a riding plan involving Crown land, also check Newfoundland Crown Land Access Rules. Approval to ride in an area and permission to make a fire there are separate questions: being allowed to travel through an area does not, by itself, give you permission to start a fire.
| Situation | What to check before you go | Safe assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Campfire at a designated campsite | Site rules, current fire restrictions and any permit requirement | Use only the fire area provided, if fires are allowed |
| Fire beside a trail or railbed | Land authority rules, access permissions and provincial requirements | Do not treat an informal clearing as an approved site |
| Fire on Crown land | Current Crown land and fire rules for the specific area | Riding access does not automatically allow a campfire |
| Fire during a ban or restriction | Current official direction for that location | Do not light an open fire if it is prohibited |
| Portable stove instead of a campfire | Restrictions covering that appliance and the location | Do not assume a stove is exempt from a fire restriction |
If you can’t confirm the applicable rule before the ride, plan a fire-free stop. A thermos, food that does not need cooking and a suitable portable stove—only where its use is permitted—are easier to plan around than trying to interpret a restriction from a trailhead.
Confirm that the place is suitable for a fire
Fire permission is only one part of the decision. You also need to know who manages the land and whether you may stop there. A trail can cross different land types, and a route shown on a map is not necessarily an invitation to camp or make a fire along its entire length.
Start with the land manager or trail operator. If you are riding a managed trail, ask the operator whether fires are permitted at the stopping point you have in mind. A managed trail sticker or permission to ride does not necessarily grant camping or fire privileges. See Newfoundland Managed Trail Rules for context on trail requirements, and check Newfoundland Trail Conditions Before You Ride for planning information that can affect your route and stopping options.
On Crown land, do not assume that an open-looking area is an approved place to stop or burn. Check the area’s status and any posted restrictions. Some locations have specific access rules, and sensitive ground can be damaged even by a small fire. Finding Approved Areas on the Provincial Map can help with area planning, but a map does not replace checking the current fire rules or asking the land authority when something is unclear.
Municipal land and private land can have their own restrictions. If the trail passes near a community, a road, a cabin or a private parcel, ask the relevant landowner or local authority rather than relying on provincial rules alone. Written permission is sensible when you are relying on a private landowner’s approval, especially if you are planning to stop with a group.
Protected areas need particular care. Do not assume that a fire permitted elsewhere is allowed inside a park or protected area. Check the rules for that specific place before riding in, and do not make a fire where the land manager prohibits it. For national parks, see Newfoundland National Park Machine Rules; access rules for machines and rules for fires are distinct, so confirm both.
A practical rule is to choose the fire location before you leave home. Confirm that you can reach it legally, that fires are allowed there, and that any permit or site condition is satisfied. If the plan depends on finding a suitable spot by chance, you may end up with no lawful or safe place to light a fire.
If a permit is required, get it before the ride
When a permit is required, arrange it through the responsible authority before lighting the fire. Do not treat a phone call, an online application or a past permit as approval unless the authority confirms that it applies to your planned fire and location. Read the permit conditions carefully; they may specify where and when a fire is allowed and what precautions must be in place.
Make sure everyone in your riding group understands the plan. The person who obtains the permit should share its conditions with the group and keep any required proof accessible. A permit for one site or purpose may not cover another location or a different kind of fire. If the ride changes route, the original permission may no longer fit the new location.
Before setting out, confirm:
- The location where you intend to stop is identified clearly enough to verify with the authority.
- The permit requirement and application process are current.
- The permit, if needed, has been issued and covers the planned activity.
- No temporary ban or new restriction has taken effect.
- The site has the required water, tools or other precautions.
- The group knows who is responsible for watching and extinguishing the fire.
If you cannot obtain a clear answer, postpone the fire rather than guessing. The same applies if the permit conditions are unclear or if weather changes before you reach the site. Strong wind, dry vegetation or a change in fire restrictions can make a planned fire unsafe even when the original plan seemed reasonable.
For route planning, check Newfoundland ATV Trail Map Downloads, but treat the map as one source of information rather than proof that a campfire is allowed. Maps may show trails and access areas without indicating every fire restriction, private boundary, temporary closure or campsite rule.
Keep the fire contained, attended and fully out
Even where a fire is allowed, the rider who starts it is responsible for keeping it controlled and putting it out completely. Choose an established fire area if one is provided. Do not make a new fire ring in vegetation, peat, roots or other ground that can hold heat below the surface. A fire that looks extinguished on top can continue smouldering underneath and flare up later.
Keep the fire modest and use only suitable, clean firewood. Do not burn garbage, plastics, fuel, oil or other materials that can release harmful smoke or create unpredictable flames. Keep the area around the fire clear of dry grass, brush and gear. Park machines well away from flames and hot embers, and avoid leaving fuel containers, spare gas or other combustible supplies beside the fire.
Have the means to control the fire immediately available. Depending on the site and the rules, that may include water, a shovel or other required equipment. Keep water close enough to use promptly; a container secured on an ATV may not help if it is buried under cargo or parked away from the fire. Do not begin a fire if you lack the equipment required by the permit, site or current restrictions.
Someone should remain with the fire at all times. Before leaving, put it out with water, stir the ashes and coals, and add more water until the material is cold. Check the edges of the fire area and nearby ground for heat or smoke. If you cannot verify that it is completely out, stay and keep working on it. Never leave a fire to burn down unattended or rely on rain to extinguish it.
Wind matters, too. If sparks are blowing, flames are spreading beyond the fire area or conditions are becoming difficult to control, extinguish the fire immediately. If a fire escapes, move people to safety and contact emergency services as soon as possible. Do not put riders at risk by trying to fight a spreading wildfire with a shovel or a small amount of water.
Avoid fires when you are tired, rushed or planning to ride on before the fire is cold. Build the stop into your route so there is enough time to extinguish the fire properly and check the site before leaving. If the group cannot stay until the fire is fully out, skip the fire.
The safest trail-side campfire is one that is clearly allowed, properly permitted when required, made at an appropriate site and completely extinguished before the ride continues. When any part of that plan is uncertain, a fire-free stop is the better choice.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
