Can I burn today in London?
London’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
- London
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Middlesex County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. London requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. London Fire Services decides — not this page.
Date indicated on permit, or 7 days after issuance, whichever is shorter
Small fires (under 46cm x 46cm x 30cm in an Outdoor Fire Container), Cooking Fires, and normal farm practice fires (with notification) do not need a permit. Larger fires require an application completed on forms provided by London Fire Services, in person at Fire Headquarters (400 Horton Street East, 8:30am-4:30pm) with valid ID, plus payment of the Application Fee and Permit Fee set out in the City's Fees and Charges By-law.
General prohibition (Section 2.1)
No person shall set, maintain, or permit to be set or maintained, an Open Air Burning except as authorized under this By-law.
Outdoor Fire Container - no permit required (Section 3.1)
A person may conduct an Open Air Burning in an Outdoor Fire Container, subject to the conditions set out in this Part... shall only conduct the Open Air Burning between 4:00 p.m. and Midnight; shall not burn or attempt to burn a volume of combustible material greater than 46 centimetres wide by 46 centimetres long by 30 centimetres high; shall locate the Outdoor Fire Container at least 4 metres from any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article.
Permit required for larger fires (Section 3.2)
A person may conduct an Open Air Burning if the person has been issued a Permit... the applicant shall pay the Application Fee and, if the application is approved, a Permit Fee as set out in the applicable Fees and Charges By-law; shall only conduct the Open Air Burning between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; shall not have a fire larger than 1 metre in length, by 1 metre in width, by 1 metre in height; shall locate the Open Air Burning at least 50 metres away from any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article.
Permit validity (Section 3.2(4))
A Permit shall only be valid for the date indicated on the Permit, or 7 days after the Permit has been issued, whichever is shorter.
Wind, weather and smog alert conditions (Section 3.4(h)-(j))
shall not burn if the wind speed exceeds 15 kilometres per hour during the Open Air Burning; shall not burn if it is rainy or foggy; shall not burn if a Smog Alert has been declared.
Cooking Fires exempt from permit (Section 3.3)
A person may conduct an Open Air Burning for a Cooking Fire, subject to the conditions set out in this Part... shall only conduct the Open Air Burning between 11:00 a.m. and Midnight; and, the burning shall consist of a small, confined fire that is used to cook food on a grill, barbecue or spit... Open Air Burning for a Cooking Fire is not prohibited during a Burn Ban, if conducted in accordance with O. Reg. 213/07 (Fire Code).
Normal farm practice (Section 4.1)
A person may conduct an Open Air Burning if it is part of a normal farm practice carried on as part of an agricultural operation... shall notify London Fire Services' Communications Centre in person or by telephone prior to the Open Air Burning and at the conclusion of the Open Air Burning... not have a fire larger than 2 metres in length, by 2 metres in width, by 2 metres in height.
Penalties (Section 10.1)
upon a first conviction is subject to a minimum fine of $100.00 and a maximum fine of $5,000.00; upon a subsequent conviction is subject to a minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $10,000.00.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for London — 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 — London Fire Services decides.