Can I burn today in Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls’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
- St. Catharines
- Observed
- 11:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Niagara Region, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. A fire ban can be declared at any time. City of Niagara Falls Fire Department decides — not this page.
There is no general burn permit to apply for in Niagara Falls. Recreational open-air fires (bonfires, campfires) are effectively not permitted except in narrow carve-outs.
A charcoal or gas cooking fire in a barbecue/hibachi is allowed if attended by a competent person and not on a balcony or other unsafe location.
A campfire elsewhere in the City needs prior approval from a Fire Prevention Officer for the specific area, plus competent supervision.
Fires are barred outright between 6pm and 8am, during strong wind, near construction or stored flammables, or wherever they risk spreading to grass or vegetation.
Fire defined broadly, narrow carve-outs
“fire” includes bonfire, campfire and any other fire in a yard, field or any other open place but does not include: (i) a charcoal or gas fire in a barbecue, hibachi or similar metal or masonry container while being used for the cooking of food for human consumption, provided such fire is not on a balcony ... and is attended by a person competent to supervise it; ... (v) A campfire, elsewhere within the City of Niagara Falls provided that such campfire is in an area approved by the Fire Prevention Officer and is attended by a person competent to supervise it...
General nighttime and hazard prohibitions
No person shall, anywhere in the City of Niagara Falls, set or maintain a fire in the open air or permit a fire in the open air to burn (a) At any time between the hours of 6 o'clock in the afternoon of any day and 8 o'clock in the forenoon of the next following day; (b) At a location where there is a danger of such fire spreading to grass or other vegetation; (c) During a strong wind; (d) On any road allowance or other municipal property...
Setback and containment for permitted fires
Every person setting a fire in the open air anywhere in the City of Niagara Falls shall ... Set and confine the fire in a metal or masonry container with a metal screen on top having a mesh or not larger than one-half inch; and Set and keep the fire not less than 50 feet from any building, wooden fence or other combustible material or liquid.
Agricultural/rural district additional rules
Every person setting a fire in the open air in any agricultural district, industrial district, rural district or rural agricultural district shall comply with the following additional regulations: (a) Subject to clause b), the fire shall be kept at least 100 feet from any building; (b) If branches and prunings in large quantities are to be burned: (i) The fire shall be kept at least 200 feet from any building; (ii) The Niagara Falls Fire Department shall be notified of the intention to set the fire...
Penalty
Every person who contravenes this by-law is guilty of an offence and is subject to a penalty not to exceed $2,000.00 exclusive of costs, pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act.
Public nuisance declaration
The Council of the Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls declares emissions from fires that unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of property to be a public nuisance pursuant to Section 128 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Niagara Falls — 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 Niagara Falls Fire Department decides.