What is a Municipal Burn Ban? |
A ban on open air burning and fires implemented by the Chief Fire Official of a municipality. |
What is a Restricted Fire Zone (Provincial Burn Ban)? |
A Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) is an order made by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, under the Forest Fires Prevention Act restricting the use of open fires in a specific area of the province. It is a temporary measure put in place to prevent human-caused fires when the fire hazard is extreme or when firefighting resources are limited. |
What factors determine whether a Burn Ban is implemented? |
The decision to implement a Burn Ban is based on the same data as the Fire Weather Index, the weather forecast, available resources, historical values and professional experience. |
Are all fires illegal under a Burn Ban? |
Most types of fires are illegal under a Municipal Burn Ban or Restricted Fire Zone (Provincial Burn Ban).
Please consult By-law #53-19 Open Air Burn By-Law for the limited types of burning permitted during a Municipal Burn Ban.
Please consult Outdoor Fire Restrictions - Government of Ontario and Forest Fires Prevention Act for the limited types of burning permitted during a Restricted Fire Zone (Provincial Burn Ban).
If a municipal or provincial fire ban is lifted, the other may still be in effect. |
How do I report someone not adhering to a Burn Ban? |
If you observe someone not adhering to a Burn Ban, please call 911 and report the fire. |
What are the penalties for not adhering to a Burn Ban? |
Failure to comply with a Municipal Burn Ban could result in:
- a fine according to the Schedule of Fines
- financial responsibility for all expenses incurred for the purpose of investigating, controlling and extinguishing the fire set or left to burn.
Failure to comply with a Restricted Fire Zone (Provincial Fire Ban) could result in:
- a fine up to $25,000
- three months in jail
- financial responsibility for any costs incurred in fighting a forest fire
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