Can I burn today in Tecumseh?
Tecumseh’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
- Windsor
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Essex County, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Tecumseh requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Services (Town of Tecumseh) decides — not this page.
Location, date and time period listed on the permit
Submit a written application to the Fire Chief at least one full business day before the proposed burn (name/address/phone, property owner's written consent if a tenant, location, date, materials, extinguishment method)
No permit is needed for small residential fires (<=1m, 11am-midnight) or fires in an approved burning appliance (<=1.5m)
Keep the permit at the fire location.
Permit required (Section 3(1))
No person shall set or maintain an open-air fire without first having obtained a permit from the Fire Chief.
Small-fire exemption (Section 3(2)(a))
Notwithstanding Section 3 (1), no permit shall be required for: (a) open-air fires located on residential properties between the hours of 11:00 am and midnight with an overall size having no dimension greater than one (1) metre measured in any direction, including the height of the flames.
Air quality health index prohibition (Section 3(3)(d))
Notwithstanding any provisions herein, no person shall set or maintain a fire: ... (d) for a period of time during which an air quality health index value forecasted or reported by Environment Canada for the Windsor Region is greater than seven (7).
Size limit and setback (Section 3(3)(c),(g))
No person shall set or maintain a fire: ... (c) with an overall size having any dimension greater than four (4) metres, measured in any direction, including the height of the flames... (g) within four (4) metres of a structure, fence or property line.
Agricultural open-air fires (Section 5(1))
Notwithstanding Section 3 (3) c, upon written application by a farmer the Fire Chief may issue a permit for an open-air fire on agricultural lands where... (d) be surrounded by a tilled area serving as a fire break that is wide enough to prevent the open-air fire from crossing the tilled area and to maintain the area of the burning materials to be no greater than thirty (30) metres in length, five (5) metres in width and three (3) metres in height.
Set fine for burning during a smog alert (Schedule B, Item 4)
Burn during smog alert -- Offence Creating Provision: 3 (3) (d) -- Set Fine: $250.00.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Tecumseh — 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 — Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Services (Town of Tecumseh) decides.