Can I burn today in Burlington?
Burlington’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
- Milton
- Observed
- 4:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Regional Municipality of Halton, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Burlington requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Burlington Fire Department decides — not this page.
From date of issue until property ownership change, burn-location change, area no longer designated for burning, property/area development, legislative change, or rescission by the Chief Fire Official (Section 7)
Any owner (or a person authorized in writing by the owner) 18 years of age or older who owns property outside the City's designated urban area may apply online through the City's 'smartlets' portal (portal.burlington.ca) or by contacting Fire Prevention at 905-637-9536 for a free burning permit
Must comply with all permit conditions and by-law standing conditions (sunset-7am hours, 25 km/hr wind limit, 20m setback, no burning during a Special Air Quality Statement/Smog and Air Health Advisory or an active burning ban).
Permit required (Section 4)
No person shall set, permit to be set, maintain or cause to be maintained, an open-air burning in the City of Burlington unless: a) a burning permit has been issued from the Chief Fire Official; b) that person complies with the conditions set out in the burning permit; and c) that person complies with all applicable provisions of this by-law.
No permits in the urban area (Section 5)
No burning permit shall be issued for an open-air burning within the urban area of the City.
Permit validity (Section 7)
A burning permit issued pursuant to this by-law is valid for the life of the permit from the date of issue until such time as; a) The property changes ownership; b) The location of the approved burning is changed, c) Designated burn areas allowed in the city no longer allows for burning in the area, d) Property or area development, e) Changes to legislation, f) The permit has been rescinded by the Chief Fire Official for non-compliance or any other reason.
Standing conditions - hours, size, wind, setback, smog advisory, burning ban (Section 9)
Except for otherwise provided for in a burning permit, a burning permit holder shall not set or maintain open-air burning, or permit open-air burning to be set or maintained, or cause open-air burning to be set or maintained: a) between sunset and 7a.m. b) that consists of more than one (1) cubic metre of material to be burned; c) that exceeds one (1) metre in height; d) when the wind speed is greater than twenty-five (25) kilometers per hour; e) within twenty (20) metres of a building or roadway; f) if there is a Special Air Quality Statement and/or Smog and Air Health Advisory issued by Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment; g) if there is a burning ban; h) if it creates a nuisance.
Exemption - small confined cooking fires (Section 14)
Permission of the Chief Fire Official is not required for open-air burning that consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill, barbeque or spit that is commensurate with the type and quantity of food being cooked.
Exemption - gas/propane fire pits, chimineas (Section 15)
Backyard fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor burning devices that utilize propane or natural gas as fuel supply are permitted in all areas of the City, except apartment building balconies and where prohibited by condominium corporation rules.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Burlington — 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 — Burlington Fire Department decides.