Open Air Burning

Open Air Burning Bylaw & Fire Danger Rating Information

Current Ramara Fire Danger Rating

Fire Danger Rating Information

Low Hazard	Ignition of forest fuels will be difficult and spread potential is limited. No control problems.
Moderate Hazard	Grasses, dry branches will easily ignite. Spread to adjacent fuels would be slow. Control of fire may be difficult. Take normal precautions.
High Hazard	Small campfires are still permitted at this time, but require extreme vigilance in supervision and the ability to extinguish the fire quickly, as conditions are favourable for rapid spread of fire through surrounding vegetation. Bona Fide Farmers will not be permitted to burn oversized piles.
Extreme Hazard	Restrictions will be in effect. No open air burning allowed. Cooking fires only permitted when no other means of cooking is available. All other burning is restricted.

When determining Fire Danger Ratings, the Township refers to the Fire Weather Index Classes as determined by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Open Air Burning Bylaw

The Township of Ramara has implemented an Open Air Burning Bylaw to help residents burn safely. Before burning, check local weather conditions and the below requirements for air quality advisories, residential properties and bona fide farmers.

Air Quality Advisories

Reminder - There is no open-air burning permitted when an Environment Canada Air Quality Alert is in effect.

Environment Canada, in conjunction with provincial partners, issues Air Quality Alerts when the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is forecast to reach or exceed a high-risk category of 7. Advisories are typically triggered by severe wildfire smoke or poor summer air quality and are issued as needed, year-round.

Advisories are generally categorized by the severity of the index:

Yellow Warning (High Risk): Issued when the AQHI is forecast to hit a 7 to 9.
Orange Warning (Very High Risk): Issued when the AQHI is forecast to reach or exceed 10.

For Ramara and the surrounding region, you can track these alerts in real-time or check current conditions through the Environment Canada Air Quality or Air Quality Ontario web portals.

Residential Properties

Burn permits are not required for residential properties. Residents have been given approval to open air burn and must follow the below criteria:

There is no declared fire ban in effect.
There is no air quality advisory in effect, as determined by Environment Canada.
The volume of material being burned is no larger in size than 1 metre cubed.
The fire is surrounded by non-combustible material to prevent spread.
The fire is a minimum of 5 metres from a dwelling, building, structure, overhanging vegetation and property line.
The fire is supervised at all times.
The direction of smoke does not hinder traffic or the quality of life of neighbouring people.
Wind speed is less than 25 km/h and will have no adverse effect on control of the fire.
The materials being burned are organic in nature such as dry (untreated) wood, leaves, grass and paper.
The owner of the property has granted permission to individual to open air burn.
Form of extinguishment readily available (water and/or extinguisher).

Bona Fide Farmers

Bona Fide Farmers are allowed to have larger burns to help with farming operations; however, they must contact the Fire Department first to provide details and obtain approval.

Bona Fide Farmers who will be burning on a Saturday or Sunday are encouraged to call for pre-approval during regular business hours.

For approval, individuals are asked to call 705-484-5374 ext. 253 and meet the following criteria:

There is no declared fire ban in effect.
There is no air quality advisory in effect, as determined by Environment Canada.
The volume of material being burned is contained in no more than three piles of a maximum size of 5 metres by 5 metres by 2 metres high each.
The fire is surrounded by non-combustible material to prevent spread.
The fire is a minimum of 30 metres from a dwelling, building, structure and property line.
The fire is supervised at all times.
The direction of the smoke does not hinder traffic or the quality of life of neighbouring people.
Wind speed is less than 25 km/h and will have no adverse effect on control of the fire.
The materials being burned are organic in nature such as dry (untreated) wood, leaves, grass, and paper.
The owner of the property has granted permission to a bona fide farmer to open air burn.

Report a Burning Complaint

To report a burning complaint to Ramara Fire & Rescue Services, call the following numbers:

During Business Hours - 705-484-5374 ext. 253.
After Hours - 705-325-5201, option 4

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