All Open Air Burning in McDougall is controlled by several legislative regulations, The Ontario Fire Code, The Ontario Forest Fire Prevention Act, but most notably, the Municipality of McDougall Open Air Burning By-law (2022-40). Any authority to ignite is authorized by this By-law through a fire permit system.
Burning Permit
As of June 2022 the requirement for an evening burn permit is no longer. Evening burning; which is considered 2 hours before sunset until 2 hours after sunrise, does not require a permit provided the fire danger rating is low or moderate, and the fire does not exceed 2meters in diameter/2 meters in height. Open air evening burning is not permitted if the fire danger rating is high or extreme.
A permit to burn anytime during daytime hours is required year round in McDougall and is only issued by the Fire Chief. Day burning Permits may be obtained through the Fire Chief by filling out a burn permit (pdf 45.22kb) and emailing it pshoebottom@mcdougall.ca , the Fire Chief will review and send it back approved to you. If you need to obtain a hard copy of the burn permit you can obtain one at the municipal office. There are no fees to obtain a burn permit.
For more information about open air burning and fire permits, please review By-law 2022-40 (pdf 352.18kb)
For more information about the dangers associated with forest fires, please review our Smokey Bear poster.
Please review details on building a proper campfire pit from scratch for quick fact about campfire pits.
Fire Ratings
The Fire Danger Rating is a system of parameters which are considered in order to predict fire behaviour on any given day. The Fire Danger Rating system consists of four ratings and one special condition:
Low: Normal burning and residential fireworks allowed
Moderate: Normal burning and residential fireworks allowed
High: No open burning allowed other than campfires for cooking or warmth; LIGHTING OF RESIDENTIAL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
Extreme: No open burning allowed; LIGHTING OF ALL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
Restricted Fire Zone: Condition where the wild land is so dry that no open flame is allowed at all; LIGHTING OF ALL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
Under all circumstances, commercial firework displays are only allowed under the authority of the fire chief.
Fire Danger Ratings are displayed on the Municipal Website and on signs located at:
- The entrance to the Municipal Waste Transfer Station on Municipal Drive
- On the front of Fire Station #2 in Waubamik
- At the entrance to Nine Mile Lake
