Can I burn today in Wellesley?
Wellesley’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
- Kitchener
- Observed
- 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Regional Municipality of Waterloo, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Wellesley requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Wellesley Fire Department (Fire Administration) decides — not this page.
1 year
1 year
1 month
Contained Site Camp Fires (max 60cm diameter ring/device, clean dry wood, 3m from structures) do not need a permit if Schedule A conditions are met. For other Open Air Fires, apply online via the Township's own forms.wellesley.ca portal ('Request a Burn Permit') or by calling Fire Administration.
Permit required (Section 2)
No person shall set or maintain an Open Air Fire, or permit an Open Air Fire to be set or maintained, at any time without a permit from the Township.
Air Quality Advisory prohibition (Schedule "A" item 5(a); Schedule "B" item 6(a))
Contained Site Camp Fires shall not be permitted on days when: (a) there is an Air Quality Advisory in effect ... Open Air Fire permits shall be deemed to be void on days when: (a) there is an Air Quality Advisory in effect.
Wind and weather conditions (Schedule "A" item 5(b)-(c))
Contained Site Camp Fires shall not be permitted on days when: ... (b) atmospheric conditions such as rain or fog may cause smoke to remain close to ground level; or, (c) wind speeds are high or wind directions are changing frequently, which could allow a fire to spread rapidly.
Contained Site Camp Fire conditions (Schedule "A" items 1, 4, 12)
The minimum distance between a Contained Site Camp Fire and buildings, structures, hedges, fences, Highways, Combustibles or overhead wires shall be three (3) metres. ... Only clean, dry wood shall be burnt in a Contained Site Camp Fire. ... Flames from a Contained Site Camp Fire shall not exceed 60cm in height at any time.
Fire Ban discretion (Section 20)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this by-law, the Fire Chief may issue a complete ban on any and all Open Air Fires in the Township, including a Contained Site Camp Fire and a Contained Fire, for a specified period of time if, in the Fire Chief's opinion, drought conditions are occurring that increase the potential fire hazard.
Permit duration default (Section 17)
All permits issued by the Fire Chief shall specify the time period during which the permit is effective. If no time period is indicated on the permit, then the permit shall automatically expire sixty (60) days after its issuance.
Fee reference (Section 14(g))
An application for an Open Air Fire shall be completed and submitted to the Township in the form prescribed by the Fire Chief and shall require, at a minimum, the following: ... (g) the applicable fee, as set out in the Township's Fees and Charges By-Law, as amended.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Wellesley — 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 — Wellesley Fire Department (Fire Administration) decides.