The Forest Fires Prevention Act and Regulations has requirements aimed at reducing forest fires and ensuring public safety. The following is a summary of some of the key rules that you should be aware of.
It is illegal to leave any residue from exploded fireworks unextinguished. You can use fireworks during the fire season, even in a Restricted Fire Zone, but make sure the residue is completely extinguished before you leave the site. The residue can easily ignite a fire, especially in dry conditions.
Before deciding to burn wood, brush, grass or leaf litter in an outdoor fire consider other more environmentally friendly alternatives like composting or recycling. Remember outdoor fires can also create smoke problems for you and your neighbours. If burning is necessary, you can burn without a fire permit if you follow the established safe burning rules. If you live within an organized municipality, check with the municipal office or fire department before you burn. If local rules are more stringent, you must follow those. If a Restricted Fire Zone has been implemented however all burning is strictly prohibited.
The Regulations deal with the use of stoves and installations during the fire season (April 1st to October 31st) and during Restricted Fire Zone periods. Use the following as your guide:
Campfires:
You can enjoy a campfire during the fire season provided it’s built on bare rock, soil or other non-combustible material. Your campfire must be at least 1 metre away from any flammable material; at least 3 metres away from any overhanging vegetation and your campfire cannot exceed 1 metre in diameter and 1 metre in height.
Campfires are prohibited during a Restricted Fire Zone. The only exception is in an organized campground and only if the campground owner/operator decides it is safe to do so. In these situations, strict campfire rules must be adhered to. Your campground owner/operator will provide you with the rules when campfires are allowed.
If you live within an organized municipality, check with the municipal office or fire department regarding the municipal fire bylaw concerning campfires inside and outside of organized campgrounds. If local rules are more stringent, you must follow those.
Portable Gas, Propane or Naphtha Stoves:
You can use your portable gas, propane or naphtha stove anytime during the fire season, even in a Restricted Fire Zone, provided the stove is at least 1 metre from any flammable material. The stove must also be designed to use gas, propane or naphtha and you must be able to extinguish the flame by a control valve or by closing the stove.
Portable Wood Burning Stoves:
- The stove must be at least 1 metre from any flammable material
- The stove must be designed for cooking or providing warmth
- The stove must be made entirely of non-combustible materials
- The ashes and coals produced through burning must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of before the stove is moved
Charcoal Installations (BBQs, Hivachis, etc.):
You can use your portable or permanent charcoal installation during the fire season provided the installation is at least 1 metre from any flammable material and the ashes and coals produced through burning are completely extinguished and safely disposed of.
You can continue to enjoy barbecuing during a restricted fire zone provided you are in an organized campground and the owner/operator decides it is safe to do so, or you are barbecuing within 100 metres of a dwelling that you occupy (i.e. summer cottage, camp, home).
Outdoor Wood Burning Stoves and Wood Burning Furnaces
Anyone who uses an outdoor wood burning stove or wood burning furnace anytime during the fire season must ensure the following regulations are met:
- The stove or furnace must be at least 5 metres from the forest and at least 2 metres from any flammable material
- The area surrounding your stove or furnace at ground level must be non-combustible material extending for 2 metres in all directions
- The stove or furnace must be designed for cooking or warmth; made entirely of non-combustible material; enclosed on all sides and have working spark arresting devices on all vents and chimneys
You can continue to enjoy the use of your outdoor wood burning stove or furnace during a Restricted Fire Zone provided it is within 100 metres of a dwelling that you occupy and you meet the above mentioned regulations.
