Can I burn today in West Lincoln?
West Lincoln’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
- St. Catharines
- Observed
- 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Niagara Region, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. West Lincoln requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. West Lincoln Fire and Emergency Services decides — not this page.
valid for the calendar year, expiring December 31
valid for the calendar year, expiring December 31
valid for the calendar year, expiring December 31
valid for the calendar year, expiring December 31
day(s) of the event
"Permits are available online - apply from the safety and convenience of your own home" via westlincoln.firepermit.online/account.
Farm burn permits on agricultural-zoned land used for bona fide farming are free; Urban, Rural and Campground permits are $35.00; Specific Event permits are free.
Recreational fires require a minimum clearance of 5 metres in all directions from buildings, structures, fences and other combustibles.
Permits are valid for the calendar year and expire December 31.
Unauthorized burns responded to by the fire department are billed at $750/hour per fire truck.
Farm Fire Permit conditions
diameter and the material being burned does not exceed 2 metres in height, ... d) Maintain a distance of not less than 60 metres from the Open-air Fire to any [building, structure, fence, property line, roadway, railway, overhead wire, or combustible material].
Urban Fire Permit conditions
centimetres in diameter, and where the material being burned is no greater [than 61cm in height] ... b) Restrict the time the Open-air Fire is set or maintained to between the hours of [4 p.m. and 11 p.m.] ... c) Maintain a distance of not less than 6 metres from the Open-air Fire to any [adjacent property or roadway] ... d) Maintain a distance of not less than 5 metres from the Open-air Fire to any [building, structure, fence, overhead wire, or combustible material].
General prohibitions — wind and smog
e. When the wind velocity is 20 kilometres per hour or greater; f. That spreads beyond the Fire Pit or Outdoor Fireplace that confines it; g. During rainy or foggy weather, or when a smog alert or an air quality advisory has been issued by an appropriate provincial or federal agency...
Fee schedule (Schedule of Fees and Charges)
F.2. Open-air Fire Permit Application Fee - Farm: No Charge. F.3. - Urban: $35.00. F.4. - Rural: $35.00. F.5. - Campground: $35.00. F.6. - Specific Event: No Charge. F.7/F.9. Fee for fire department personnel, vehicles, apparatus, and equipment: $750.00 per hour.
Administrative Monetary Penalty for supervision/wind/smog violations
Section 44(h): Fail to supervise a fire by a competent person 18 years [of age or older] — $300 [penalty, per the by-law's schedule of administrative monetary penalties, itself referencing weather, smog alert, or air quality advisory violations].
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for West Lincoln — 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 — West Lincoln Fire and Emergency Services decides.