Before you buy a wood-burning firepit and start burning those old railway ties that have been piling up in your backyard, please consider local bylaws concerning firepits. Rules change depending on where you live. In Calgary, open firepits are allowed. See the city's rule's concerning proper use of firepits here. Firepits are also allowed in Oakville, click here to see their rules conceringing fire pits. But, in Burlington, you need a permit to operate a fireplace - so check with The Man before you burn anything. Mitigate your impact on your neighbours by burning clean, dry wood in reasonable (not too high) amounts. Nothing makes the neighbours more nervous than looking over the fence and seeing a scene from "The Wicker Man" next door.