Fire Bans, Restrictions and Guidelines

The Open-Air Fire Bylaw (2020-047) governs open burning in the Municipality of Hastings Highlands and closely parallels the Forest Fire Prevention Act. Some of the General Prohibitions outlined in the bylaw are listed below:

Open-Air Fire Bylaw (2020-047)

• No person shall ignite an open-air fire, from between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., during the period from April 1st to October 31st, which is the Fire Season.
  Exceptions: A small contained campfire*, maple syrup operations, farm meat processing and preparation.
  *Campfire (as defined in Bylaw 2020-047) means ‘a fire area no larger than 60 cm in diameter (2 ft by 2 ft) that is used for cooking or warmth and is supervised at all times by a responsible person; includes an open-air fire device.’
• A responsible person shall burn piled wood, brush, or discarded wood by-products only if:
  (a) The fire is ignited at 7:00 p.m. or later and is extinguished at 7:00 a.m. or earlier during the period from April 1st to October 31st,
  (b) The fire is supervised and tended to by a responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire until the fire is out;
  (c) The pile is less than 2 meters in height and less than 2 meters in diameter;
  (d) The fire is at least 5 meters from any combustible materials; and
  (e) The responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire has adequate tools, water and human resources to contain the fire.
• A responsible person shall burn grass and leaves only if:
  (a) The fire is supervised and tended to by a responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire until the fire is out;
  (b) The area to be burned is less than 1 hectare;
  (c) The length of burning edge is less than 3 meters per person;
  (d} The fire is ignited at 7:00 p.m. or later, and is extinguished by 7:00 a.m. or earlier during the period from April 1 to October 31st;
  (e) The responsible person capable of extinguishing the fire has adequate tools, water and human resources to contain the fire.
• No person shall set an open-air fire in a restricted fire zone or during a total fire ban, including clusters of candles, tiki torches and any other open flame devices.
  
  Waste Disposal/Transfer Site.
• No person shall burn materials other than Class “A” Materials.
• No person shall burn household waste, human waste or hazardous waste.
  
  Weather Conditions
• No person shall set an open-air fire:
  (a) under weather conditions that limit the rapid dissipation of smoke;
  (b) when wind may cause dangerous/ unsafe conditions that may result in fire spread, a decrease in visibility on any highway or roadway or an adverse effect on neighbouring lands or persons;
  (c) under extremely dry or arid conditions;
  (d) when the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change has issued a Smog Advisory or Smog Alert applicable to the area;
  (e) when the Fire Chief has placed a total fire ban on open-air fires.