Burn permits are on the rise in Woodstock. Since council approved the new open air burning bylaw this spring, calls for home inspections have gone up nearly three fold. Public Information Coordinator Lisa Woods says most of the calls are coming from people with existing permits looking to renew, while the number of new permit calls remains on par with previous years. Woods says most fire pits can stay put after inspection but she is finding it's the smoke detector provision that is causing the most trouble for people. "Probably more than 60-70% of the people that I have visited have either had to change out a smoke alarm altogether because they didn't realize that it could only last for 10 years, or they changed the batteries or they relocated a smoke alarm because it wasn't in an adequate place". Woods says if she spots a problem with your smoke alarm while doing her inspections, you will not receive a fine but are expected to correct the problem immediately. Woodstock Fire have already issued 300 residential burn permits since the new open air burning bylaw came into effect in May.

3rd Annual Running with the Bulls Shines
Mischief in Tillsonburg is Under Investigation
Upgrades Completed for Woodstock Disc Golf Course
OPP Enforcement for Civic Holiday Weekend
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Anthony Scalisi
Drug Trafficking Investigation Leads to Charges
EZT Candidate Profile - Don Chowan
Oxford County Requesting Public Input
Norwich Man Charged in Brant County
SPWH Wants You to Know Drinking Risks
Charges Laid after Truck Hits Bridge
Ingersoll Candidate Profile - Mike Tucker
Motorcyclist Killed in Oxford Collision
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - July 2026
Oxford OPP Briefs - July 28th, 2026
Cat Thrown from Vehicle in Norfolk County
Environment Canada Issues Yellow Watch for Thunderstorms
Oxford Mosquito Traps Tests Positive for West Nile
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Sandeep Sidhu