Skip to content

Fire ban lifted, provincially and locally

Existing fire permits from last year will be extended, but no new permits being issued locally yet
campfire
Campfires like this one will be legal starting midnight Friday.

If you were hoping to have a backyard camp fire this weekend you're in luck...or maybe not!

The province has lifted its fire ban, and North Bay Fire Chief Jason Whiteley says the local ban has also been lifted.

Those that have existing fire permits from last year will automatically have them extended, but if you don't have a permit then you still can't burn

Whiteley doesn't expect new permits to be issued for at least another week as fire department employees are still working from home on different projects.

"Any permits from 2019 that have expired are considered valid until the customer service centre at City Hall reopens," added Deputy Fire Chief Greg Saunders. "When the customer service centre reopens homeowners will be expected to obtain a permit for 2020.  Until the customer service centre opens at City Hall new permits for open-air burning will not be issued."

Callander Fire Chief Todd Daley tells BayToday that the lifting of the ban also applies to his municipality as of midnight.

At 12:01 a.m. on Saturday May 16, Ontario is lifting the Restricted Fire Zone designation that was put in place last month across Ontario's fire region. 

The province will continue to assess forest fire hazard conditions and an RFZ designation may be reinstated in higher risk areas if conditions deteriorate.

"These restrictions are put in place in order to reduce the number of preventable human-caused fires and lower the risk of wildfires impacting the public," according to a provincial release.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19 fire rangers will be required to follow the health and safety guidelines recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and daily self-assessments by staff.

"This is an extraordinary period. As we put measures in place to protect our staff and the public from the pandemic, we have been taking additional steps to prepare for the wildland fire season," said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. "Nothing is more important than protecting the safety of people and communities across the province. Although we want people to enjoy themselves, lifting the Restricted Fire Zone designation does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused forest fires."

The province has also implemented a more aggressive approach to fighting wildland fires this season with a focus on detecting fires early, combating them with full force, and keeping them as small as possible.

"Despite the challenges of these unprecedented times, Ontario's emergency management personnel have been proactively working with partners to prepare for potential evacuations due to the wildland fire season," said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General.

Human-caused fires represent approximately 50 per cent of wildland fires that occur in Ontario each year.

Before starting an outdoor fire, check with your local municipality to see if a local fire ban is still in effect.

See: Chief McLeod defends lifting backyard fire ban

Private parks and campgrounds may open to enable preparation for the season and to allow access of trailers and recreational vehicles whose owners have a full season contract. (https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/ontario-announces-additional-workplaces-that-can-reopen.html)

 

Private campgrounds and parks can open to enable preparation for the upcoming summer season and to allow access for stationary seasonable homes that have access to both electric and water services. Access to rental camping services at a private campground or park is permissible in Stage 1 if the trailer or RV hooks up to electric and water services, and the rental period is for the full season.


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
Read more

Reader Feedback