Can I burn today in South Bruce Peninsula?
South Bruce Peninsula’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)
- 3 · Low risk
- Measured at
- Tiverton
- Observed
- 4:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Bruce County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. South Bruce Peninsula requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Town of South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department decides — not this page.
No permit required if within size/setback limits
Application required minimum 1 week prior to the proposed burn date; may be issued to reoccur over an extended period
Submit a Fire Permit Application (forms.southbrucepeninsula.com/Emergency-Services/Fire-Permit-Application) at least one week before a non-recreational burn larger than 2m x 2m, including a site plan
Pay the $25 (tax included) fee
Smaller/recreational fires in permitted zones do not require a permit but must meet size/setback/weather rules.
Permit required (Section 2.1(a))
Subject to Sections 2.3 and 3.1 herein, no person shall conduct or permit to be conducted, an open air burning within the boundaries of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula unless permission has first been granted by the Fire Chief.
Zoning restriction on non-recreational burning (Section 2.2)
No person shall conduct or permit to be conducted a non-recreational open air burn in the Zones as defined by the Town's Comprehensive Zoning By-Law; R1A- Un-Serviced Detached Residential, R1B - Service Detached Residential, R2 - Resort Residential, R3 - Low Density Multi Family Residential, R4 - Medium Density Multi Family Residential
Recreational burning wind/weather/smog condition (Section 2.3(i))
No person shall conduct open air burnings when the wind speed exceeds 20 km per hour or during rainy or foggy weather or at times when a smog alert has been declared by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy for Ontario or any successor and relevant Ministry.
Recreational burning size/setback (Sections 2.3(a), (e), (f))
Every person conducting a recreational open air burning ... shall confine the same to open burning devices or to a fire burn area with a burn area no larger than two (2) feet (61 cm) by two (2) feet (61 cm) by two (2) feet (61 cm) or 8 cubic feet (0.26 cubic metres) in size. ... Every person shall confine an open air burning to a location that provides for a minimum distance of 13 feet (4 m) in all directions from adjacent properties. ... Every person shall confine open air burning to an area that is a minimum of 13 feet (4 m) from permanent combustible structures or objects.
Fire Ban / Provincial Ban (Section 2.4)
No person shall set or maintain a fire: a) When the Province has issued a fire ban or, b) When the Fire Chief or his designate has issued a complete or partial fire ban.
Permit for larger non-recreational burns (Section 3.2.1)
Any person intending to conduct a non-recreational open air burning greater in size than 2 meters X 2 meters shall make application at least one week prior to the proposed date of the non-recreational open air burning on the form supplied by the Fire Chief and shall comply with Section 3.2 herein and the Fire Chief shall have the authority to issue such permit.
Non-recreational burning wind/weather/smog condition (Section 3.3(e)-(f))
No person shall set/maintain or permit any non-recreational open air burnings during rainy or foggy weather or on smog alert days as declared by the Ministry of Environment for Ontario or any successor and relevant Ministry. No person shall set/maintain or permit any non-recreational open air burnings when the wind speed exceeds 20 km per hour.
Non-recreational burning setback (Section 3.3(g))
No person shall set/maintain or permit a non-recreational open air burning unless confined to an area which is at least 200 feet (60 m) from any building, highway, road or wooded area and shall be clear of any over-head objects (i.e. wires).
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for South Bruce Peninsula — 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 — Town of South Bruce Peninsula Fire Department decides.