Fort Erie Puts Fire Ban in Place Due to Extreme Heat

FORT ERIE (August 12, 2025) — Starting Tuesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m., all open-air recreational fires in Fort Erie will be banned until further notice. The decision comes after days of extreme heat and dry weather, making fire conditions dangerously high.

 The ban does not allow:

• Campfires or bonfires (this includes campgrounds)
• Burning brush, leaves, or yard waste
• Outdoor wood-burning appliances (fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces)
• Fireworks or sky lanterns

All active Burn Permits are temporarily suspended.

The ban allows:

• Commercially produced enclosed cooking appliances:
  • natural gas, charcoal, propane barbecues or smokers (must have a lid)
  • propane or natural gas fuelled fire tables

All appliances must be used safely following the manufacturer’s instructions.

“With this heat and no rain, the fire risk becomes extremely high,” said Fort Erie Fire Chief Mark Schmitt. “We’re taking this step to protect our community, property, and emergency crews during this dangerous time.”

Fort Erie’s fire ban follows similar bans already in place in other Niagara Region communities. The wildfire risk is currently rated “extreme” by Natural Resources Canada.

Ignoring the ban could result in fines under the Town’s Open-Air Burning By-law.

The Fire Department will closely monitor the conditions and share updates when lifting the ban is safe.