THUNDER BAY — The forest fire season is officially underway in Northern Ontario.
As of April 1, anyone using fire outdoors is required to adhere to guidelines laid down in the Forest Fires Prevention Act.
People planning to burn piled wood, wood by-products, brush or leaves outside during the fire season may do so only when conditions allow for a fire to burn safely, and only if all necessary steps are taken to tend to, control and extinguish the fire.
A fire permit is not required, provided these rules are followed:
- ignite the fire no sooner than two hours before sunset, and extinguish it no later than two hours after sunrise
- burn only a single pile at any one time
- ensure the pile is less than two metres in diameter and less than two metres high
- keep the fire at least two metres from any flammable materials
- have tools or water on hand adequate to contain the fire at the fire site
- ensure a responsible person tends the fire until it is extinguished
A fire permit is not required for burning areas of grass or leaf litter on land you lawfully occupy provided you:
- ignite the fire no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguish it no later than two hours after sunrise
- keep the total area burned to under one hectare
- ensure the flaming edge of the fire does not exceed 30 metres in length
- have tools or water on hand adequate to contain the fire at the fire site
- ensure a responsibile person tends the fire until is extinguished
If any of these guidelines cannot be met, a permit will be required from the nearest fire management headquarters of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Individuals who don't burn safely, or burn material without a permit when one is required, may be fined and held responsibile for the cost of putting out a fire as well as any property damage.
Local municipalities also have their own open burning by-laws.
In the City of Thunder Bay, any outdoor burning requires a permit, regardless of the time of year.