Can I burn today in Bracebridge?
Bracebridge’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
- Dorset
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of District Municipality of Muskoka, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. A fire ban can be declared at any time. Bracebridge Fire Department decides — not this page.
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No permit is needed for an ordinary recreational or non-recreational open air fire — comply directly with the by-law's size, setback, hours and wind-speed rules (Parts 4 and 5 of By-law 2014-018).
Check the Town's current Fire Danger Rating before burning, posted on the Town's Fire Danger Rating page.
As of the Town's most recent posted notice (2026-07-23, Moderate rating): "No daytime burning. Open-air fires are permitted between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m."
Commercial campgrounds/children's summer camps: obtain a fire permit from the Chief Fire Official before conducting a recreational open air fire during otherwise-prohibited daytime hours.
General prohibition — daytime hours, fire season
No person shall set or permit a fire in the Town between the hours of 0800 hr. (8:00 a.m.) and 1800 hr. (6:00 p.m.) during the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October each year, except as permitted under Part 6 and 7 of this By-law.
Fire Management Zones — non-recreational fire restricted in Zone 1, and April–Oct in Zones 2–4
No person shall: ... Set or permit a non-recreational open air fire in Fire Management Zone 1. ... Set or permit a non-recreational open air fire in Fire Management Zones 2, 3 and 4 in the months of April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
Recreational fire — size limit
No person shall set or permit a recreational open air fire: within a fire pit or burn area larger than 61 centimetres (2 feet) by 61 centimetres (2 feet) or 0.26 cubic meters (eight cubic feet) in size.
Recreational fire — setback
No person shall set or permit a recreational open air fire: that is located less than six metres (20 feet) from any adjacent property; that is located less than six metres (20 feet) from any combustible structure or object.
Recreational fire — wind limit
No person shall set or permit a recreational open air fire: when the wind speed exceeds 30 kilometres per hour (30 km/h); or when a smog alert for an area including the Town has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment for Ontario.
Non-recreational fire — pile size limit
No person shall set or permit a non-recreational open air fire: with a burn pile exceeding either two metres (6.5 feet) in diameter or two metres (6.5 feet) in height.
Non-recreational fire — setback
No person shall set or permit a non-recreational open air fire: within 20 metres (65 feet) of any adjacent building or structure.
Non-recreational fire — wind limit
No person shall set or permit a non-recreational open air fire: when the wind speed exceeds 30 kilometres per hour (30 km/h); or when a smog alert for an area including the Town has been issued by the Ministry of Environment for Ontario.
Campground exemption — the only case a fire permit is required
Section 3.1.1 does not apply to an Authorized Campground that has obtained a fire permit from the Chief Fire Official that permits the permit holder to have a recreational open air fire in accordance with the regulations contained in this by-law.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Bracebridge — 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 — Bracebridge Fire Department decides.