Can I burn today in Brantford?
Brantford’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
- Brantford
- Observed
- 5:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of County of Brant, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Brantford requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Brantford Fire Department decides — not this page.
Category-dependent per Chapter 507: recreational and residential/agricultural until Jan 1, 2036; commercial/industrial/institutional (semi-annual) until the earlier of 6 months from issuance or Jan 1, 2036
Open-air burning is not permitted anywhere within the pre-2017 City of Brantford boundary. In the areas annexed to the City in 2017, apply to the Chief Fire Official for the applicable permit category and pay the fee set out in the City's Fees and Charges Article
Comply with fire-pit size, setback (15m), supervision, and appropriate-weather-condition (wind ≤15km/hr, no rain/fog/smog alert) requirements.
Prohibition / approval required (Section 507.3.4.1, per live Chapter 507 text)
No person shall conduct or permit an Open Air Burning within the boundaries of the City unless approved by the Chief Fire Official.
Open Air Burning defined (Section 507.3.1)
burning or combustion of materials in any open place including yards, fields or construction areas which are not enclosed by a building or structure.
Appropriate Weather Conditions / smog alert (Section 507.3.1 definitions)
Appropriate Weather Conditions means that the wind speed does not exceed 15 kilometres per hour and that it is not raining, nor foggy, nor is there a declared smog alert.
Additional weather/ground conditions (Section 507.3.1 definitions, continued)
the ground conditions are not dry, the area has not been subject to a drought nor has the Fire Chief declared a burning ban due to weather conditions.
Recreational burning conditions (Section 507.3.5)
the Open Air Burning is contained in a Fire Pit, which is no more than one (1) square metre in area... the Open Air Burning is at least 15 metres from any building, structure, hedge, fence, vehicular roadway.
Hours — non-recreational/commercial burning (Sections 507.3.6(d), 507.3.8(b))
the Open Air Burning is conducted between sunrise and sunset. / The Open Air Burning occurs between sunrise and sunset.
Permit fee (Section 507.3.9.2)
A Permit request must be accompanied by the applicable fee as set out in the City's Fees and Charges Article.
Recreational Burning geographic/sunset restriction (By-law 5-2023, Part A) — with an internal date inconsistency in the source text
RECREATIONAL BURNING (NOT permitted in the areas of the City which were part of the City of Brantford prior to the 2017 boundary adjustment). This section is only in force and effect until January 1, 2026) / 4.12(o) the Open Air Burning occurs prior to January 1, 2036.
Non-recreational Residential/Agricultural Burning restriction (By-law 5-2023, Part A)
Non-recreational Residential/Agricultural Burning – Approval Required (NOT permitted in the areas of the City which were part of the City of Brantford prior to the 2017 boundary adjustment). This section is only in force and effect until January 1, 2036) / 4.13(r) the Open Air Burning occurs prior to January 1, 2036.
Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Burning — Semi-Annual Permit restriction (By-law 5-2023, Part A)
Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Burning – Semi-Annual Permit (NOT permitted in the areas of the City which were part of the City of Brantford prior to the 2017 boundary adjustment). This section is only in force and effect until January 1, 2036) / 4.14 (f) the Open Air Burning occurs prior to the earlier of: (A) the expiration of six months from the date of issuance of the Permit; or (B) January 1, 2036.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Brantford — 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 — Brantford Fire Department decides.