Can I burn today in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh?
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh’s by-law does not set out what each fire danger rating allows, so this page cannot tell you whether today is a burning day. Today’s rating is beside this, and the fire hall below has the answer.
- Air quality (AQHI)
- 2 · Low risk
- Measured at
- Grand Bend
- Observed
- 1:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Huron County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. A fire ban can be declared at any time. Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (fire services contracted to Goderich, Lucknow, and North Huron Fire Departments) decides — not this page.
No permit or advance notification is required. Determine whether the burn site falls in the "Open Air Burning Area" (Agricultural/Extractive/Recreational zoning) or "No Open Air Burning Area" (Settlement/Natural Environment/Other zoning) per the Township's Zoning By-law #32-2008
Use an approved outdoor fire container meeting Schedule A specs if in a No Open Air Burning Area
Post a 'Controlled Burn in Progress' sign at the property entrance (per the Township's current live guidance)
Do not burn during a Fire Chief-declared open burn ban, in winds over 16 km/h, in rain/fog, or during a declared smog alert.
Burning areas within the municipality (Section 3)
a) Within the "No Open Air Burning Area" the following are permitted: I) Domestic barbeques or permanent outdoor grills used solely for the purpose of cooking food on a grill and are extinguished immediately upon completion of the cooking process; II) small confined fires in an approved outdoor fire container used for the purpose of cooking, or the burning of yard waste, supervised at all times and conforms to the requirements, as defined in Schedule "A" of this By-law; b) Within the "Open Air Burning Area", under no circumstances are prohibited materials as defined by this by-law...to be burned, ignited or added to the fire at any time.
Open Burn Ban (Section 4)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Bylaw, the Fire Chief may institute an open burn ban at any time, as may be deemed necessary in the opinion of the Fire Chief and it is in the interests of public safety, no person, organization, partnership, company or group shall be entitled to a "small contained fire" or "open air burning" during a burn ban. Should any person, organization, partnership, company or group commit an act in contravention of an open burn ban, a fee of $1000.00 will be issued to the owner of the real property and will be payable upon receipt.
Approved Outdoor Fire Container size/rules (Schedule A)
An approved container shall be no larger than two (2) feet (61 cm) by two (2) feet (61 cm) by two (2) feet (61 cm) or 8 cubic feet (0.26 cubic metres) in size...Every person burning a small confined fire must provide for a minimum distance of 10 feet (3 m) in all directions from any combustible material...Children under the age of 18 years are prohibited from igniting fires or being in a supervisory role.
Wind / smog alert restriction (Schedule A)
No person shall conduct small confined fire when the wind speed exceeds10 mph (16 km/h) or during rainy or foggy weather or at times when a smog alert has been declared by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy for Ontario or any successor and relevant Ministry;
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh — free, for any municipality, customer or not. See it and get the link.
By-laws change. This page summarises public documents and is not legal advice or permission to burn — Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (fire services contracted to Goderich, Lucknow, and North Huron Fire Departments) decides.