Can I burn today in Kawartha Lakes?
Kawartha Lakes’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
- Peterborough
- Observed
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of City of Kawartha Lakes, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Kawartha Lakes requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. City of Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service decides — not this page.
Single burning event
Issue date to December 31 of the same calendar year
Single burning event
Extended time frame, multiple burning events (Fire Chief discretion)
Issue date to December 31 of the same calendar year
Issue date to December 31 of the same calendar year
Apply through the City's online "Public Access Portal" (cityworks.kawarthalakes.ca) or in person at a Municipal Service Centre
Campfires under 60cm diameter and compliant burn barrels outside built-up areas need no permit. Larger/agricultural/special burns require the applicable permit and payment of the Schedule C-4 fee
Permit must be kept available and burning must stop if a burn ban (including the annual April ban) is declared.
Open Fire / permit requirement (Section 2.02)
No person shall set or cause to be set or permit to be set an open fire in the City that exceeds the allowed fire area without obtaining written permission from the Fire Chief or his/her designate and obtaining a burn permit and filing the same with the person/persons at an authorized issuing agent.
Weather Conditions, including Smog Advisory (Section 2.07)
No person shall set an open fire: (i) under weather conditions that limit the rapid dissipation of smoke; (ii) when wind may cause unsafe conditions that may result in fire spread; (iii) under extremely dry or arid conditions; (iv) when the Ministry of the Environment has issued a Smog Advisory or Smog Alert applicable to the area; (v) when the Fire Chief has placed a ban on open fires.
Burn Barrel restriction (Section 2.06)
No person shall have an open fire in a burn barrel in any built up area.
Burn Permit / Annual Burn Permit (Sections 3.01-3.02)
A permit is required for each open fire of materials up to one cubic metre excluding campfires up to 60 cm in diameter. No burn permits shall be issued for an open fire in a built up area. ... A permit is required for all open fires of materials up to one cubic metre excluding campfires up to 60 cm in diameter and is issued on an annual basis and expires on the last day of the calendar year it is issued. No annual burn permits shall be issued for an open fire in a built up area.
Special / Agricultural Burn Permits (Sections 3.03, 3.05, 3.06)
A special permit is required for each open fire larger than one (1) cubic metre or any open fire where special provisions as required by the issuer are necessary. ... An agricultural burn permit is required for open air burning on farm property that is part of normal farm practices for fires up to 3 metres by 3 metres of material and must adhere to agricultural setbacks. ... An agricultural special burn permit is required for open air burning on farm property for fires larger than 3 metres by 3 metres of material or any open air burning on farm property where special provisions as required by the issuer are necessary.
No Permit Required (Section 3.08)
A person may have an open fire without obtaining a permit provided the conditions below are met, and/or providing no other City-wide or provincial burn bans are in effect: (i) the fire area is no larger than 60 cm in diameter; (ii) the fire area is supervised at all times by an adult person; (iii) the fire area is within an approved area, burn barrel, or pit designed for said use; (iv) the fire area does not violate any other laws, by-laws, rules or regulations...; (v) the fire area shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) metres from any building or other structures and five (5) metres from any fences, trees brush piles or combustible materials and property lines.
Fees (Section 3.09)
Fees for Burn Permits are charged in accordance with "with Schedule C-4 to the Consolidated Fees By-law.
Burn Ban (Section 4.04) and April Burn Ban (Section 4.07)
No person shall set a fire within the City of Kawartha Lakes while a burn ban is imposed for any reason other than for the sole purpose of heating and/or cooking and only when no other means of heating and/or cooking are available. The fire shall be extinguished as soon as the fire is no longer required and it cannot exceed 60cm in size. ... An annual burn ban shall be in affect during the month of April.
Cancellations (Section 6.01)
A burn permit may be cancelled or suspended at any time by the Fire Chief, his/her designate or Municipal Law Enforcement Officer.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Kawartha Lakes — 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 — City of Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service decides.