Can I burn today in Tay?
Tay’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
- Barrie
- Observed
- 2:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of County of Simcoe, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Tay requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Township of Tay Fire Department decides — not this page.
Issuance to December 31 of the current year (by-law text); Township's live page describes this as '1 year from purchase date'
Apply for an Open Air Burning Permit online via the Township's Community Connect portal (communityconnect.io/info/on-taytownship) or in person at the Municipal Office
Only the property owner or an authorized agent may apply.
Permit required (Section 2.1)
No person shall set or maintain a fire in open air without first having obtained a permit from the Township under this by-law.
Wind and smog alert (Section 4.7)
No person shall conduct an open air burn when the wind speed exceeds twenty (20) kilometers per hour, or at times when a smog alert for an area including the Township has been declared by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for Ontario.
Hours (Section 4.11)
No person shall conduct an open air burn between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
Size and setback (Sections 4.1, 4.4)
Every person conducting an open air burn shall confine the fire to either an Open Air Burning device or to a fire pit with a burn area no larger than one cubic metre in size. Every person conducting an open air burn shall confine the fire to a location that provides for a minimum distance of twenty (20) feet from combustible structures or objects.
Permit validity (Section 3.5)
An Open Air Burning Permit is valid from the time of issuance to December 31 of the current year.
Fire ban (Section 2.4)
No person shall set or maintain an open air burn at any time during a fire ban.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Tay — 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 — Township of Tay Fire Department decides.