Can I burn today in Dutton/Dunwich?
Dutton/Dunwich’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
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Elgin County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Dutton/Dunwich requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Dutton/Dunwich Fire Department decides — not this page.
Per event
Per burn
As of the Municipality's current live Burn Permit page, residents apply and manage burn permits through the Municipality's dedicated online portal at duttondunwich.burnpermits.com (create an account, submit a permit request, await approval by email with a minimum 1 business day's notice, then activate the permit before burning per the instructions on the permit)
The by-law's own older text separately describes in-person/telephone notification for rural brush burning and a written application with a $25 fee for special-event permits.
Permission required (Section 2.1)
No person shall conduct, or permit to be conducted, an open air bum within the boundaries or the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich unless the Fire Chief or By-law Officer has given permission hereunder.
Recreational open-burning-device exception (Section 2.2)
Despite Section 2.1 above permission is not required from the Fire Chief and or By-law Officer for open air burnings associated with the use of open burning devices or pits specifically designed for open air burnings, provided that each of the following regulations are complied with open air burning may only be conducted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and midnight. No person shall set or maintain an open air bum in a device or pit between midnight and 9:00 a.m.
Wind/weather/smog restriction (Section 2.2(m))
No person shall set/maintain an open air burning when the wind exceeds 30 kilometers per hour or during rainy or foggy weather or at times when a smog alert has been declared by the Ministry of Environment For Ontario (Provincial) & or Canada (Federal).
Special Events Permit and fee (Section 2.4(g))
There will be a fee of $25.00(per event) to receive a special events permit payable to the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich.
Rural area burning rules (Section 3.3)
The following regulations shall apply with respect to open air burnings in the rural areas of the Municipality of Dutton/Dunwich... a) Open air burnings may only conducted between the hours of 8:00am and 7:00pm. b) No material other than dry bush maybe burned... d) Open air burnings are not permitted during rainy, foggy weather or on smog alert days as declared by the ministry of Environment of Ontario or Canada. e) An open air burning shall be confined to an area which is at least 150 feet (45 M) from any building, highway, road or wooded area.
Rural burn notification requirement (Section 3.1)
No person shall conduct or permit to be conducted an open air burning in the rural areas which is not authorized under section 2.2,2.3, or 2.4 without notifying the Municipality, Dutton/Dunwich Fire Department, or By-law Officer and obtaining a permit in person or by telephone and complying with the previsions of section 3.3.
Set fines (Schedule A)
Open Burning in Violation of Environment Ministry Warning or Weather -- Provision 2.2m -- Set Fine $350.00.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Dutton/Dunwich — 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 — Dutton/Dunwich Fire Department decides.