Can I burn today in Saugeen Shores?
Saugeen Shores’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
- Tiverton
- Observed
- 1:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Bruce County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Saugeen Shores requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Saugeen Shores Fire Department decides — not this page.
Per approved application; holder must call 519-389-6120 to activate before each burn
Submit the online application at forms.saugeenshores.ca/Fire-Services/Burn-Permit-Application (minimum 48 hours to process)
Once approved, call 519-389-6120 to activate the permit before each individual burn
Recreational Fires and burn-barrel fires do not require a permit.
Permit required (Section 2.3)
Except for Recreational Fires or fires contained in a burn barrel, no person may set a fire or allow a fire to burn in the open air without obtaining a permit from the Chief Fire Official.
Recreational Fire definition (Section 1.10)
"Recreational Fire" means a fire that burns within an area that is no larger than 1 meter in diameter and height, provided such fire is used for warmth or cooking food.
Heat Alert / Smog Alert definitions (Sections 1.7, 1.11)
"Heat Alert" means any day or portion of a day when a heat advisory or alert has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, for the Town of Saugeen Shores. ... "Smog Alert" means any day or portion of a day when a smog or forest fire smoke advisory or alert has been issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, for the Town of Saugeen Shores.
Automatic suspension on Smog/Heat Alert (Section 4.2)
All Burning Permits are automatically suspended on any Smog or Heat Alerts and holders of Burning Permits are responsible for keeping informed of such days.
Automatic wind-speed suspension (Section 4.3)
All Burning Permits are automatically suspended during such periods and in such areas where gusting or sustained wind speeds exceed 20 kilometers per hour or where wind directions are changing frequently.
Fire-Ban suspension (Section 4.4)
All Burning Permits are automatically suspended during such periods and in such areas where the Chief Fire Official has determined that there exist hazardous conditions and has imposed a Fire-Ban on Open-Air Fire.
Setbacks (Sections 3.3–3.4)
With the exception of Campgrounds, no fire may be set or allowed to burn where said fire is less than three (3) meters from any building, structure, hedge, tree, fence, highway or vehicular right of way, overhead wire, or combustible material of any kind. No fire other than a Recreational Fire may be set or allowed to burn where said fire is less than fifteen (15) meters from any building, structure, hedge, tree, fence, highway or vehicular right of way, overhead wire or combustible material of any kind.
Hours – non-recreational fires (Section 3.8)
No fire other than a Recreational Fire may be set to burn between sunset on the evening of any day and sunrise on the following day.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Saugeen Shores — 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 — Saugeen Shores Fire Department decides.