Can I burn today in Cornwall?
Cornwall’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
- 12:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Cornwall requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Cornwall Fire Services decides — not this page.
3 years from date of purchase (per By-law Section 4.3(5)); marketed live as a 2026-2028 season permit
Apply online via the City's permit application form (forms.cornwall.ca)
Applications accepted only between April 1 and September 30
Allow up to 10 business days for review
Burning itself is only allowed May 1-September 30, 6:00pm to midnight.
Permit required (Section 3.1)
No person shall set, maintain, or permit to be set or maintained, an Open Air Burning except as authorized under this By-law.
Burn Ban (Section 3.3)
No person shall set, maintain, or permit to be set or maintained, an Open Air Burning if the Chief Fire Official has imposed a Burn Ban within the municipality.
Burn season and hours (Section 4.3(d)-(e))
shall only conduct the Open Air Burning between the dates of May 1st to September 30th annually; ... shall only conduct the Open Air Burning from 6:00 PM to midnight;
Fire size and setback (Section 4.3(g)-(h))
shall not have a fire larger than 45 centimetres in length, by 45 centimeters in width, by 45 centimeters in height; ... shall locate the Open Air Burning at least 7.5 metres away from any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article;
Wind speed threshold (Section 4.4(i))
shall ensure the Wind Speed does not exceed 15 km per hour during the Open Air Burning;
Weather and Smog Alert conditions (Section 4.4(j)-(l))
shall not burn if it is rainy or foggy; shall not burn if a Smog Alert has been declared for SD&G; shall not burn if a Burn Ban has been implemented by the Chief Fire Official;
Permit validity (Section 4.3(5))
A Permit shall only be valid for three years from date of purchase.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Cornwall — 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 — Cornwall Fire Services decides.