Can I burn today in Whitchurch-Stouffville?
Whitchurch-Stouffville’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
- Newmarket
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Regional Municipality of York, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Whitchurch-Stouffville requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services (WSFES) decides — not this page.
Not specified in by-law text; fee set by the Town's separate Fees for Fire Services by-law (amount not found)
Permit-free; must comply with Schedule B conditions (max .75m diameter/height, 3m clearance, wind under 20kph, supervised, prohibited during a declared Open Air Burning Ban)
For non-recreational Open Air Burning (on a lot of at least 1 acre, outside construction sites): apply to Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services (WSFES), pay the fee set by the Town's Fees for Fire Services by-law, allow a site visit, and sign the permit. For a Recreational Fire, no permit or application is needed at all -- just follow the Schedule B safety conditions (size, clearance, wind under 20kph, supervision).
Permit required for Open Air Burning (Section 2)
THAT No Person shall conduct, or allow to be conducted on lands owned or occupied by such person, any Open Air Burning within the Town without having first obtained an Open Air Burning Permit issued by the Fire Chief in the form attached as Schedule "A" hereto.
Open Air Burning definition excludes Recreational Fires (Section 1(d))
"Open Air Burning" and "Open Air Burn" means a fire set by any Person within the boundaries of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, but do not include small confined fires for the purposes of cooking food on a grill or barbeque or "Recreational Fires."
Permit issuance requirements (Section 3)
AND THAT prior to the issuance of an Open Air Burning Permit, the applicant therefore shall: (a) pay the fees prescribed in respect of such Open Air Burning Permit by the Town's By-law to Establish Fees for Fire Services; (b) allow the lands upon which Open Air Burning is proposed to be conducted to be visited by an Officer or Officers in order to determine the suitability of such lands for an Open Air Burning Permit; and; (c) sign the Open Air Burning Permit.
Restricted areas and minimum lot size (Sections 13-14)
AND THAT open Air Burning is not permitted during construction within any subdivision or on any construction site within the Town. AND THAT open Air Burning Permits will not be issued in respect of Open air Burning proposed to be conducted on parcels of land having an area of less than one (1) acre (.40 ha.).
Recreational Fires permit-free (Sections 16-17)
AND THAT no Person shall conduct ... any Recreational Fires within the Town unless the conditions set out in Schedule "B" hereto are complied with. AND THAT ... Recreational Fires are permitted anywhere in the Town subject to the Recreational Fire Conditions set out in Schedule "B" hereto.
Recreational Fire Conditions (Schedule "B")
Permits are not required for Recreational Fire, but the following conditions must be complied with: 1. Fire must not exceed .75m in diameter or .75m in height and must be contained to prevent the spread of fire. ... 6. A minimum distance of 3m to combustible materials must be maintained at all times. 7. Recreational Fires shall not be permitted when the wind speed exceeds 20kph, when the wind direction is changing frequently, or when there is decreased visibility on any highway in the vicinity. 8. Recreational Fires shall be prohibited when an Open Air Burning Ban has been declared by the Fire Chief.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Whitchurch-Stouffville — 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 — Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire and Emergency Services (WSFES) decides.