Can I burn today in Southgate?
Southgate’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
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Grey County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Southgate requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Southgate Fire Department (Dundalk) decides — not this page.
60 days, renewable through the online portal
Recreational fires (under 1m diameter) and burn barrels do not require a permit outside urban areas. For an Open Air Burn over 1m diameter, apply through the Township's online Burn Permit portal at tos.burnpermits.com
Must notify the Dundalk Fire Department before igniting.
Open Air Burn definition (Section 1)
Open Air Burn shall mean any fire greater than 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter.
Burn ban (Section 3.1-3.2)
The Chief Fire Official may at any time and without notice, declare a total ban against outdoor burning in the Municipality when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fire hazardous. If the Chief Fire Official issues a burn ban in the Municipality, any approved open air permits are deemed automatically suspended until such time that the burn ban is lifted.
General nuisance provision (Section 4.5-4.6)
The fire shall not in any way cause discomfort, danger, irritation and/or nuisance for other residents including smoke entering a neighboring residence or building or across a highway. Should the Fire Department be dispatched to a complaint regarding public safety or nuisance, the Fire Department will have the discretion to determine compliance with this by-law and this discretion shall be final.
Recreational Fire / Burn Barrel exemption (Sections 5-6)
Recreational Fires do not require an approved permit... A recreational fire shall not exceed 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter... Burn Barrels do not require an approved permit.
Open Air Burn permit requirement (Section 7.1-7.6)
No person shall set or maintain an open air burn larger than 1 metre (3 feet) in a diameter without an approved permit issued by the Chief Fire Official or their designate... No person shall ignite a fire that has a base greater than 5 metres in diameter (16.5 feet). A fire shall not be closer than 10 metres (33 feet) from a roadway, building, structure, overhead wires or trees.
Notify Dundalk Fire Department (Section 7.4)
All persons setting an open air fire shall advise the Dundalk Fire Department of their intention to start an open air fire and shall identify the location of such fire.
Burn hours (Section 7.8)
No person shall plan, set, light or maintain an open air burn except 1/2 hour after sunrise and be extinguished 1/2 hour before sunset.
Permit portal and validity (Section 7.9-7.10, as amended by By-law 2023-083)
Open Air Burn Permits are issued through the Township of Southgate Burn Permit portal located on the Township of Southgate website. Open Air Burn Permits expire every 60 days and can be renewed through the Township of Southgate Burn Permit portal.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Southgate — 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 — Southgate Fire Department (Dundalk) decides.