Can I burn today in Hawkesbury?
Hawkesbury’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
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of United Counties of Prescott and Russell, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Hawkesbury requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Hawkesbury Fire Department decides — not this page.
Not specified in the by-law text; subject to Fire Chief discretion and cancellation at any time
Apply to the Fire Chief for a burning permit
A site inspection of the proposed location may be required first
Notify adjacent property occupants before setting the fire
Notify the Fire Department when the fire is lit and when it is extinguished each day
Comply with the 1-cubic-metre size limit, 30m/15m setbacks, and daylight-hours-only restriction.
Permit required (Section 3.1)
No person shall set an open air fire in the Town of Hawkesbury without first obtaining a burning permit from the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief may issue an open air fire burning permit and may be subject to any additional conditions imposed by the Fire Chief.
Site inspection and discretion (Section 3.2-3.3)
The Fire Chief may issue a burning permit for any fire under special circumstances or may, at their sole discretion, refuse to issue any burning permit depending on the conditions encountered. A site inspection of the proposed site of the open air fire may be required by the Fire Chief prior to issuing a permit.
Central business / urban area prohibition (Section 3.8)
No person shall set an open air fire in the central business section and in the urban area of the Town where development is complete.
Daylight hours only (Section 3.7, 4.3)
Open air burning fire shall only occur during daylight hours, unless otherwise specified and approved.
Maximum size and permit cancellation (Section 4.1, 3.6)
Open air burning shall allow no more than one (1) cubic metre of material to be burned at any one time. Additional conditions may be imposed by the Fire Chief if size is greater than 1 cubic meter. A burning permit may be cancelled or suspended at any time by the Fire Chief, the Chief of Police, or a By-law Officer.
Wind and setback conditions (Section 4.6-4.8)
No open air fire shall be maintained when the wind is in such direction or of such intensity so as to result in a decrease in visibility on any highway or roadway or a risk of a rapid spread of fire through grass or a brush area. Open air fires shall not be set closer than thirty (30) metres from any buildings or standing timber. Where combustible material other than a building, such as hedges, fences, or overhead wiring is present, a radius of 15 m from the open-air fire shall be kept.
Notification requirements (Section 4.4-4.5)
The permit holder must notify the Fire Department when the fire is lit and, at the end of the day, must extinguish the fire and inform the Fire Department accordingly; The permit holder shall notify the occupant(s) of adjacent property(ies) of their intentions of setting an open-air fire prior to setting same.
Exterior fireplace exemption (no permit required) (Section 4.9)
No burning permit is required for a fire when such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times and set in an approved exterior fireplace ... The exterior fireplace shall be installed at a minimum of five (5) meters from any combustible material, trees and shrubs or structures, and at a minimum of three (3) meters from property lines.
Administrative Monetary Penalty (Section 6.2)
Any person who contravenes any provision of this By-law shall be liable to pay the Town an Administrative Monetary Penalty, upon issuance of a penalty notice in accordance with the Town of Hawkesbury's Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS) By-law.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Hawkesbury — 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 — Hawkesbury Fire Department decides.