Can I burn today in Sarnia?
Sarnia’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
- Sarnia
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Lambton County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Sarnia requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Sarnia Fire Rescue Services - Fire Prevention Division decides — not this page.
Per event (Fire Chief may issue permits allowing recurrence over an extended period)
Not specified in located sources
Recreational fires meeting Section 2.2 size/hours/setback conditions and barbecues need no permission. Rural-area brush burning requires notifying Sarnia Fire Service by phone/in person before burning, plus a Rural Burn Permit obtained through the City's online system or Fire Prevention Division (no permits are issued within city limits, only in rural/farmland areas). Special-event open burning requires a written application at least one week in advance with the $20.00 fee.
Permission required (Section 2.1)
No person shall conduct, or permit to be conducted, an open air burning within the boundaries of the City of Sarnia unless permission has been given by the Fire Chief hereunder.
Recreational burning exception - conditions (Section 2.2)
Despite Section 2.1 above, permission is not required from the Fire Chief for open air burnings associated with the use of open burning devices or pits specifically designed for open air burnings, provided that each of the following regulations are complied with: (a) open air burning may only be conducted between the hours of 10:00 AM and 11:00 PM; (b) open burnings shall be confined to open burning devices or to a pit no larger than two (2) feet (61 centimetres) by two (2) feet (61 centimetres) in size... (f) an open air burning shall be confined to a location that provides for a minimum distance of 3 metres in all directions from adjacent properties.
Wind and smog alert prohibition (Section 2.2(j))
open air burnings are not permitted when the wind speed exceeds 30 kilometres per hour or during rainy or foggy weather or at times when a smog alert has been declared by the Ministry of the Environment for Ontario.
Rural area burning hours (Section 3.3(a))
open air burnings may be conducted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM only.
Rural area setback (Section 3.3(e))
an open air burning shall be confined to an area which is at least 150 feet [45 metres] from any building, highway, road, or a wooded area.
Rural area notification requirement (Section 3.1)
No person shall conduct, or permit to be conducted an open air burning in the rural area which is not authorized under Section 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4 without first notifying the Sarnia Fire Service in person or by telephone and complying with the provisions of Section 3.3 below.
Special event permit fee (Schedule A)
Special Event Open Burning Permit Fee $20.00
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Sarnia — 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 — Sarnia Fire Rescue Services - Fire Prevention Division decides.