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The City of St. Catharines is lifting its ban on open-air burning in effect since August 11, 2025.
Burn permits for agricultural fires, fireworks and other types of non-agricultural fires, such as for destroying infested trees, community cookouts and specific festivals, may resume with open-air burning that meets the regulations and requirements set out by St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services.
The City’s fire ban was in place for two weeks because of an increased risk for fire to spread due to extreme heat and prolonged dry weather conditions. The fire ban is now being lifted because recent rain and significantly cooler temperatures expected this week have reduced the risk for fire to spread.
While the fire ban is being lifted, Fire Chief Dave Upper urges those with burn permits to continue to take care with open air burning and reminds residents backyard fires are not permitted in St. Catharines.
“Only cooking fires that meet the regulations and requirements set out in the City’s open-air burning by-law are permitted on residential properties,” says Chief Upper.
Residents can report issues related backyard fires and open-air burning with the City’s online ‘Report and Issue’ form. Visit www.stcatharines.ca/BackyardFires to report concerns and learn more about cooking fires and other open-air burning regulations.
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