Can I burn today in Whitby?
Whitby’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
- Oshawa
- Observed
- 3:00 PM EDT Wednesday 9 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Regional Municipality of Durham, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Whitby requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Whitby Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) decides — not this page.
Expires 4 months after approval
Expires at year-end
Apply online via the Rural Residential Fire Permit or Agricultural Fire Permit webform (webforms.whitby.ca/WFES)
Whitby Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) reviews the request and contacts the applicant with the result
Payment is arranged upon approval. No permit exists for recreational campfires/chimineas/firebowls -- these are not permitted regardless of application
Only gas/propane appliances or a compliant outdoor fireplace/cooking appliance may be used without a permit.
Scope -- gas/propane appliances excluded (Section 2.1)
This by-law does not apply to an outdoor cooking appliance, outdoor fire place, barbeque, fire table or fire pit that uses natural gas or propane as a fuel source.
Permit required for yard/agricultural waste burning (Section 2.5)
No person shall light, ignite or start or cause to be lighted, ignited or started a fire of any kind whatsoever outside of the walls of a building, for the purpose of burning yard waste or agricultural waste, without having first obtained a permit to do so from the Fire Chief.
General fire safety requirements -- wind and smog (Section 3.1.1-3.1.3)
No fires are permitted when wind speed exceeds 25 km/h; No fires are permitted during a smog advisory; No fires are permitted during a burn ban ordered by the Fire Chief.
Open-air cooking fire requirements (Section 4.1.1-4.1.9)
The fire must be within a non-combustible area that extends a minimum 0.6 metres beyond the appliance on all sides; Only charcoal, briquettes or fully seasoned wood may be burned. No yard waste or other debris is permitted; The burn area is not to exceed 0.6 metres diameter and 0.9 metres high... Must be a minimum of 6 metres from any dwelling unit, accessory structure, property line, overhanging item or other combustible material; Must be a minimum of 7.5 metres from any forested area; ...Chimineas, fire bowls, and other appliances that are not specifically designed as cooking appliances are not permitted.
Penalties (Section 7)
Anyone contravening the provisions of this By-law shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of not more than $5,000.00, exclusive of costs, the amount of such fine to be recoverable under the Provincial Offences Act.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Whitby — 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 — Whitby Fire and Emergency Services (WFES) decides.