Fire Permits and Plans

• No person shall set and/ or maintain a fire in the open air, from April 1 to October 31 inclusive, without a valid permit obtained from the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
• From November 1 to March 31 inclusive, persons may set and maintain a fire without a permit, however must still follows the requirements.
• No permit is required for small confined fires set by persons for the purpose of burning environmentally acceptable combustible material at night 7:00 pm to 7:00 am. Persons setting such a fire shall comply with the following regulations:

1. The fire must be under constant supervision and control from the time of lighting until it is totally extinguished;
2. The fire shall not be located closer than 6 metres, (20 feet), from any building, vehicle, structure, hedge, fence, road or overhead wire or obstruction of any kind;
3. The fire shall not exceed 1 metre, (3 feet), in diameter and 1 metre, (3 feet), in height. Burning of ground vegetation shall not exceed 1 hectare (2.5 acres) and the flaming edge shall not be more than 30 metres (100 feet) in length;
4. Open air fires are not allowed when a fire ban has been declared pursuant to Section 12 of this by-law;
5. Open air fires are not permitted when the wind exceeds 16 kph, (10 mph), as per the Environment Canada website for the area;
6. No person shall allow or permit a fire to burn in such a manner that conditions from the smoke therefrom impairs the vision of a motorist;
7. No person shall allow or permit a fire to become out of control;
8. No person shall burn any kitchen garbage, treated or painted lumber/construction materials or materials made/or containing rubber, plastic, tar, or other hazardous materials;
9. Every person conducting an open-air burn shall burn only clean, dry seasoned wood or yard waste; and
10. Persons shall have adequate means of extinguishment available on site and within proximity to the fire to extinguish the fire within a reasonable timeframe (example; pail of water, fire extinguisher or garden hose connected to a working tap)

• All Open-Air Fires and Campfires shall be fully extinguished prior to the fire setter leaving the site.
• No person shall set, light, ignite or maintain an Open-Air Fire or Campfire to be set, lit, ignited, or maintained, during a Fire Ban or in a Restricted Fire Zone.

• The Fire Chief may declare a total ban against outdoor burning when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fire hazardous
• During conditions when Forest Fire Ratings are high or extreme burn permits will not be sold.
• Fines will be implemented as per By-Law 2018-16 for all illegal fires during a Fire Ban.

• The Fire Chief may revoke a permit or approval for open air burning if the provisions of this By-law are not being adhered to.
• The Fire Chief may prohibit open air burning if the person or applicant, occupant or owner has contravened the provisions of this By-law in the past.
• Permits are non-transferable and only valid for the address which they have been assigned.
• All Permits shall be deemed to be suspended during a Fire Ban or within a Restricted Fire Zone.

Open Air Fires do not require a permit from the 1st day of November until the 31st day of March inclusive.

• Open-Air Fires shall not be set, lit, ignited or maintained, within 30 metres (100 feet) of any Building, Structure, Property Line, or other combustibles that would constitute a fire hazard (long grass/vegetation, trees, bush, wood lot, etc.)
• Open-Air Fires shall not exceed 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter and 1 metre (3 feet) in height.
• Open-Air Fires shall not be set, lit, ignited or maintained, if winds exceed 16 kilometres per hour.
• Prohibited Materials are not to be set, lit, ignited or maintained in an Open-Air Fire.

Persons shall have adequate means of extinguishment available on site and within proximity to the fire to extinguish the fire within a reasonable timeframe with a pail of water, fire extinguisher or garden hose connected to a working tap.

• The Fire Chief , Bylaw Officer or their designate are authorized to order any person to extinguish a fire, or to cause such fire to be extinguished, when there is a breach of any of the provisions of this by-law or where, in their opinion, there is a danger of such fire spreading or otherwise endangering life or property and the person shall comply with any such order.
• Offences; liability for costs.
  • Any person who contravenes any provision of this by-law or any order made thereunder or any condition of a permit issued thereunder may be liable for all damages to public and/or private property caused by the fire and will be liable for the full cost of extinguishing the fire;
  • Any person who contravenes any provision of this article is guilty of an offense and upon conviction, is liable to a penalty as provided in the Provincial Offenses Act

• Please respect your neighbours and follow all regulations. 
• We investigate all burning complaints and may revoke burn permits, if necessary.
• Complaint Form