Our exclusive story about a fire that destroyed a garage at a home in Burk’s Falls received thousands of views, so we wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the dangers and regulations of outdoor burning.
In Almaguin, open air burning rules for 2025 state that daytime burning is prohibited from April 1 to October 31, and nighttime burning is allowed under certain conditions. Check with your local fire department or by-law office for permit requirements. The fire danger rating in your specific area will also influence what is allowed, with higher ratings potentially restricting or prohibiting all open fires. Check with your local fire department or your municipality’s website for by-laws and current fire danger ratings.
The Muskoka-wide fire danger rating system is also in effect April 1 until October 31. Monitored and determined by the Muskoka Association of Fire Chiefs, in consultation with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the rating is verified daily and is determined using the Fire Weather Index (FWI), an internationally used method for determining the risk of fires in open air. The FWI uses factors such as relative humidity, temperature, previous 24-hour rain amount, wind directions and more to determine the risk level.
When having an open-air fire, please practice safety first.
- Check the fire danger rating before lighting any fire. Youi can find that on your municipality’s website.
- Ensure your fire is at least six metres (20 feet) from any adjacent properties, structures, trees or anything that can burn and is a maximum of 61 cm (two feet) wide.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Do not use aerosols or accelerants on a fire, such as gasoline. These substances are unpredictable, can explode and ignite surrounding areas.
- Only dry wood can be burned. Do not burn any grass, yard waste or green wood.
- There must be an immediately accessible and adequate supply of water and tools available to extinguish a fire. Make sure the fire is out completely before leaving the site.
- Keep your distance. Children, pets and adults should stay a safe distance away.
- In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.
For more details on regulations and safety procedures go to the Government of Ontario’s website.
Be sure to watch our interviews with Burks Falls Fire Chief Joe Readman and Kearney Fire Chief Paul Schaefer.
