Can I burn today in North Dumfries?
North Dumfries’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
- Kitchener
- Observed
- 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Regional Municipality of Waterloo, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. North Dumfries requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. North Dumfries Fire Department (Ayr Fire Station) decides — not this page.
Per Fire Chief-approved terms noted on the Permit
Recreational Burns (small fires meeting Section 5 conditions) need no permit. For other Open Air Burning, a person 18+ who lives on/owns the property (or has written owner authorization) completes the Township's online Burn Permit Application form.
Permit required; Recreational Burns exempt (Section 3.2)
No Person shall Conduct Open Air Burning without first having obtained a Fire Permit. Recreational Burns do not require a Permit but must meet all other requirements in section 5.
Smog/AQHI-triggered fire ban (Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.4)
The Fire Chief may issue a ban for any reason pertaining to fire safety or a smog alert. The Chief Administrative Officer of the Township and/or a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer may issue a fire ban due to a smog alert upon receipt of credible information that a smog alert is in effect and the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is 7 or greater. ... No Person shall conduct any outdoor burning at any time when a fire ban is in effect.
Recreational Burn conditions (Sections 5.3-5.5)
No Person shall Conduct a Recreational Burn between the hours of 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 8:00 a.m. on any day. No Person shall Conduct a Recreational Burn within five (5) metres (16.4 feet) of any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article. No Person shall Conduct a Recreational Burn larger than one (1) metre (3.2 feet) in any direction and shall ensure that the flames do not reach higher than 1 metre (3.2 feet).
Open Air Burning conditions (Sections 6.2, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7)
No Person shall Conduct Open Air Burning between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. ... No Person shall Conduct Open Air Burning in an area greater than one (1) metre (3.2 feet) in size unless otherwise Permitted by the Fire Chief and noted on the Permit. No Person shall Conduct Open Air Burning within five (5) metres (16.4 feet) of any property lines, building, structure, roadway or overhead wire. No Person Shall Conduct more than two fires on the same day on any given property for which a Permit has been obtained.
LPG distance restriction (Section 6.11)
No Person shall Conduct an Open Air Burn within 300 metres (984 feet) of any Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution site or LPG gas valve site when the facility requires a facility transfer license issue by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
Fee reference (Section 7.4)
Fees for Permits shall be charged as per the Township of North Dumfries Fees and Charges By-law as may be amended from time to time.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for North Dumfries — 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 — North Dumfries Fire Department (Ayr Fire Station) decides.