Can I burn today in Central Elgin?
Central Elgin’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
- Port Stanley
- Observed
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Elgin County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Central Elgin requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Central Elgin Fire Rescue Services decides — not this page.
Set on the permit; deferred to the Municipal Fees By-law for the fee amount
Set on the permit; deferred to the Municipal Fees By-law for the fee amount
Submit an Open-Air Burn Permit application (available on the Municipality's website or Laserfiche portal at lf.centralelgin.org/Forms/BurnPermitApplication) at least 7 working days in advance for non-recreational/agricultural/special burns
Recreational fires (max 2ft x 2ft, natural woods, non-combustible container/pit) do not require a permit but must follow standing conditions (hours, wind, smog)
Notify Fire Dispatch (519-842-2481) at least 30 minutes before igniting and immediately after extinguishing a permitted burn.
General prohibition (Section 3.1)
From and after the passing of this By-law, no person, either directly or through agents, servants or workmen, shall set fire to burn or cause or permit to be burned in the open-air within the Municipality of Central Elgin any material or building or structure whether standing or demolished or any part thereof subject only to the exceptions contained herein.
Non-recreational/agricultural burn permit requirement (Section 3.2)
No person shall conduct an agricultural or non-recreational open-air burn within the boundaries of the Municipality of Central Elgin unless permission has been given by the Chief Fire Official in the form of a Fire Permit (see Section 4)... Burns shall be located at least 30 meters (98.4 feet) from any combustible structure, vegetation, materials and/or public utilities. Burns must be located at least 150 meters (492.1 feet) from any occupied buildings on neighbouring properties. Open-air burning is permitted between the hours of 0700 hours (7:00 a.m.) and 1900 hours (7:00 p.m.) only, unless otherwise authorized by the Chief Fire Official.
Recreational fire rules and wind/smog restriction (Section 3.3)
No person shall conduct open-air burning- Recreational Fire/Burn within the boundaries of the Municipality of Central Elgin unless the parameters of this section of the by-law have been met. Permission in the form of a Fire Permit is not required for Recreational Fires/Burns... Recreational open-air burning may be conducted between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. only... Recreational burns are not permitted when the wind speed exceeds fifteen (15) kms per hour or during rainy or foggy weather or at times when a smog alert has been declared or a fire ban has been implemented. The appropriate Federal and/or Provincial Government agency shall be used as the source for this information.
Smog day / burn ban void clause (Section 3.5)
Fire Permits will be considered void on known smog days, or on days that the Municipality has issued a burn ban... No person shall conduct any open-air burn (agricultural/non-recreational, recreational or special) on known smog days or any days in which the Municipality has issued a burn ban.
Fee (Section 4.1, 4.3(b))
Fire Permit fees shall be in accordance with the Municipal Fees By-law as amended from time to time... That the fee for such Permit, if any, be paid by the applicant, and the amount of such fee shall be set by Council, may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary by Council. Required fees will be specified in the Municipal Fees By-law.
Application lead time (Section 4.4)
All requests for an Open-Air Burn Permit shall be made at least seven (7) working days in advance by completing and submitting an Open-Air Burn Permit application (available on the Municipalities Website).
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Central Elgin — 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 — Central Elgin Fire Rescue Services decides.