Can I burn today in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Niagara-on-the-Lake’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
- 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Niagara Region, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Niagara-on-the-Lake requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services decides — not this page.
annual
may be provided annually for specific situations
Outside the urban boundary: apply annually through the online fillable form on the Town's website, or call Fire & Emergency Services at 905-468-3266 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm) if the online form is unavailable.
Inside the urban boundary: written conditional authorization from the Chief Fire Official is required instead.
Positive confirmation of permission must be received — a voicemail message does not count.
Burning is restricted to brush only, at least 50m from any building/structure/combustible material, extinguished 1 hour before sunset and not started before sunrise, and not conducted when wind exceeds 24 km/hr.
Annual permission — outside urban boundary
Permission to burn outside the urban boundary will be provided on an annual basis and can be processed through an online fillable form on the Town's website. In the event the applicant does not have access to the online form, the applicant can call the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Customer Service Department or Fire & Emergency Services at 905-468-3266 prior to having a controlled open air burn.
Written authorization required — inside urban boundary
If the request is to burn within the urban boundary, written conditional authorization from the Chief Fire Official must be provided. This may be provided annually for specific situations.
Positive confirmation required
You must receive permission – therefore, please do not leave a message on voicemail.
Wind and timing restrictions
A controlled open air burn shall not occur when wind conditions exist over 24 kms per hour, so as to cause any or all of the above [smoke over roadways, nuisance to persons]. ... A controlled open air burn shall be extinguished one (1) hour before sunset and will not be started before sunrise.
Setback and material restriction
A controlled burn shall not be started within 50 meters of any building, structure, fence, or other combustible material. A controlled burn shall be restricted to the burning of brush only. Note: You must not burn household waste, construction material or any other material harmful to the environment.
Liability
Any person setting a fire will be responsible for their actions and may be charged by the Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services for their services in the event of an emergency.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Niagara-on-the-Lake — 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 — Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services decides.