A complete burn ban is now in effect for Orangeville and all of Dufferin County, putting a stop to all outdoor fires until conditions improve. The ban started July 15, 2026, and covers every type of open-air burning, including campfires and fire pits.
The decision came from the Dufferin County Fire Chiefs, who saw the extremely dry conditions and poor air quality from wildfire smoke as a recipe for trouble. “The extremely dry conditions combined with poor air quality from the wildfire smoke have created a much higher risk for fires getting out of control,” they said. “The ban both reduces wildfire risk and prevents adding additional smoke to the air.”
Just two days before the ban, the fire hazard rating across Dufferin County was already at HIGH, meaning conditions were serious and any spark could become a problem. Adding to the concern, Environment Canada issued an orange-level air quality warning for the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area because of smoke drifting from wildfires in northwestern Ontario. That smoke pushed air quality in the region to dangerous levels.
The health impacts are real. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health warns that poor air quality can hit the heart and lungs hard, and some people face bigger risks: young children, the elderly, outdoor workers, sports enthusiasts, and anyone with underlying respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Normally, Orangeville residents need a $30 burn permit for recreational fires, with rules about spark screens and distances from buildings. But right now, none of that matters because the ban overrides all permits. If you see someone burning, you can call Orangeville Fire’s non-emergency line at 519-842-2481 to report it.
The last time Dufferin County saw a fire ban like this was in June 2023, when dry weather and smoke from Quebec and Ontario fires led to similar restrictions. That ban stuck around until enough rain came to ease the danger. For now, the message is clear: keep the fire pit cold and wait for wetter days.
