Can I burn today in Clarence-Rockland?
Clarence-Rockland’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
- Cornwall
- Observed
- 5:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of United Counties of Prescott and Russell, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Clarence-Rockland requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Clarence-Rockland Fire and Rescue / Burn Permits decides — not this page.
Up to a maximum of one calendar year (Section 2.2(c))
Specific date or determined period (Section 9.2)
Non-transferable; tied to the permit holder (Section 9.3-9.4)
Apply for a permit online via the City's cr.burnpermits.com portal (account login/registration, also available as an iOS/Android app) or in person
Pay the applicable User Fee By-law fee
Before every burn, call the Open Air Fire Line (1-855-943-4088) or log into the burnpermits.com account to register intent and check current bans/restrictions
Comply with the by-law's size/setback/hours conditions.
Permit required for all fire types (Section 2.1)
No person shall set or maintain a fire of any kind, including an open-air fire, a burn barrel, a fire pit, or an outdoor fireplace, without having obtained a permit issued by the Fire Chief or their designate.
Definitions — Open air fire vs. campfire vs. fire pit (Section 1.15, 1.4, 1.10)
Open air fire means the burning of material such as wood, tree limbs and branches in a burn pile no bigger than 5m (15ft) in width/diameter, and no more than 3m (10ft) in height...; Campfire means an open-air fire where the size of burn area (containing all burning and burnt materials) does not exceed 76cm (30 in) in width/diameter and 60cm (24 in) in height...; Fire Pit means a constructed fire pit (e.g., a circular pit such as a rim), where the burning section is not more than 75cm (29.5 in) in diameter.
Setback distances (Section 3.2-3.4)
A campfire shall: ...be at a minimum of 5m (15 ft) from any property line, building, deck, porch, tree, shrub, etc. An open-air fire (excluding a campfire) shall be a minimum of 10m (30ft) from any property line, building, deck, tree, shrub, etc.
Woodland proximity restriction (Section 5.2)
No person shall: a) set or maintain a fire in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace within 30m (100ft) from woodlands; or b) set or maintain a fire in a burn barrel, an open-air fire, or any other fire within 100m (300ft) from woodlands. If the ground is completely snow covered, the distances referred to in this sections 5.2 a) and 5.3 b) shall be reduced to 15m (50ft) from woodlands.
Urban area restriction (Section 5.1)
No person shall set or maintain an open-air fire which includes a campfire or set a fire in a burn barrel within the limits of an urban area, except for a propane or natural gas outdoor fireplace approved and bearing the Canadian Safety Association or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada marking, or a fire for which a special permit is issued under this by-law.
Fire Ban / Total Fire Ban (Section 4.7-4.8, 1.7, 1.20)
No person shall set or maintain an open-air fire which includes a campfire when a fire ban on open air fires has been issued by the Fire Chief. No person shall set or maintain a fire of any kind, including wood burning barbeques, burn barrels, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, or any other type of open-air fire when a total fire ban has been issued by the Fire Chief.
Online burnpermits.com account requirement (Section 9.5)
Every permit holder shall contact the Open-Air Fire phone line as indicated on their permit or register their intention on setting an open-air fire by logging in their burnpermits.com account. before setting an open air, fire and must follow the instructions provided.
Fee deferred to User Fee By-law (Section 9.1(e))
That the applicant has duly paid the permit fee as prescribed in the current City of Clarence-Rockland's User Fee By-law.
Weather-based suspension (Section 10.1)
The Fire Chief may, by notice, suspend any burning at any given time due to adverse weather condition that may increase fire hazards.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Clarence-Rockland — 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 — Clarence-Rockland Fire and Rescue / Burn Permits decides.