Can I burn today in Hastings Highlands?
Hastings Highlands’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
- Belleville
- Observed
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Hastings County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. A fire ban can be declared at any time. Hastings Highlands Fire Department decides — not this page.
No permit or application is required -- compliant burning (hours, setbacks, materials, weather conditions) is self-administered
A small contained campfire is exempt from the daytime hour restriction.
Day burning hours (Section 2.1)
No person shall ignite an open-air fire, from between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., during the period from April 1st to October 31st, which is the Fire Season. Exceptions: A small contained campfire, maple syrup operations, farm meat processing and preparation.
Weather conditions / Smog Advisory prohibition (Section 6.1)
No person shall set an open-air fire: (a) under weather conditions that limit the rapid dissipation of smoke; (b) when wind may cause dangerous / unsafe conditions that may result in fire spread, a decrease in visibility on any highway or roadway or an adverse effect on neighbouring lands or persons; (c) under extremely dry or arid conditions; (d) when the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change has issued a Smog Advisory or Smog Alert applicable to the area; (e) when the Fire Chief has placed a total fire ban on open-air fires.
Total Fire Ban scope (definitions)
Total Fire Ban - means a period of time designated by the Chief Fire Official or their designate where a total prohibition on all open-air fires is in place ... Not permitted during a fire ban: Campfires are not permitted at any time; Charcoal barbeques or biomass units using natural burning fuels ... are not permitted; ... Fireworks of all types are not permitted;
Incinerator requirements (Section 4.1)
The installation, use and maintenance of incinerators for the burning of wood like materials, paper and other Class "A" materials within the Municipality will only be permitted if: (a) Incineration must be undertaken through the use of an enclosed device; (b) Incinerators must be located at least 5 meters from any forest or any building; (c) Incinerators must be covered by mesh less than 5 millimeters in size;
Flying Lantern prohibition (Section 5.1)
No person within the Municipality shall ignite or release an ignited Flying Lantern.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Hastings Highlands — 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 — Hastings Highlands Fire Department decides.