Can I burn today in North Middlesex?
North Middlesex’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
- 4:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Middlesex County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. North Middlesex requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. North Middlesex Fire Department decides — not this page.
Per burn (specific start/end dates on the permit; Schedule C form)
Recreational fires up to 1 metre in diameter, in an Outdoor Fire Container, between 7:00pm-12:30am, need no permit. Farmers conducting Regular Agricultural Burning must contact the Chief Fire Official (Scott Jones, cell 519-494-6001) at least 24 hours ahead to obtain a Burn Permit (Schedule C form), then call Fire Dispatch (519-245-1300) before and after burning.
General conditions for any Open Air Burn (Section 4.1)
No person shall set, permit to be set, maintain, or permit to be maintained, any Open Air Burn, unless that Person complies with the following provisions: (a) have legal title to the property... (b) not burn Prohibited Materials; (c) have an effective extinguishing agent...; (d) has a Competent Adult constantly supervising the Open Air Burn at all times; (f) ensure the Wind Speed does not exceed 15 km per hour during the Open Air Burn; (g) not burn if a Fire Ban has been issued...; (j) not burn on Smog Alert/Poor Air Quality Day's; (k) not allow smoke to decrease visibility across any roadways.
Recreational Fire - no permit required (Section 5)
No Person being the Owner or Tenant in possession of lands within the Municipality shall allow a fire to be set or burn in excess of One (1) meter in diameter on such lands. A Recreational Fire does not require Approval but must; (a) Be conducted in an Outdoor Fire Container or a Burning Appliance; (b) take place between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Regular Agricultural Burning - Burn Permit required (Section 6)
Regular Agricultural Burning is permitted on Farmlands in all Agriculturally designated areas... A Farmer or other Person conducting a Regular Agricultural Burn shall contact the Chief Fire Official to obtain a Burn Permit prior to conducting a Regular Agricultural Burn. Prior to acting on the Burn Permit, and upon completion of the burn, a Farmer or other Person shall contact the Fire dispatching centre.
Setback and timing restrictions for agricultural burning (Section 6.5-6.6)
No person shall permit a fire to be located: (a) within 15 meters of any building, structure or overhead wire, (b) within 7.5 meters of any flammable vegetation or material... No person shall set, permit to be set, maintain, or permit to be maintained any Regular Agricultural Burning from the time of sunset to the time of sunrise.
Prohibited fires (Section 7)
Fires within residential areas for the purposes of burning leaves are not permitted. Fires on Farmlands containing any Prohibited Materials are not permitted. Fires set to a residence or former residence, or portion thereof for the purpose of demolition [are not permitted, absent prior demolition of the structure].
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for North Middlesex — 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 Middlesex Fire Department decides.