FIRE DEPARTMENT

CURRENT FIRE RATING

MODERATE RATING

NO DAYTIME BURNING ALLOWED

Effective 10:00 am August 21, 2025 the fire rating is set to MODERATE.

No daytime burning permitted between 10am to 6pm from April 1^st to October 31^st.

Open Air Burning and Incinerators, including burn barrels with 3/8" mesh as a lid are allowed starting at 6pm and completely out by 10am.

Campfires for warmth or cooking are allowed at anytime.

Recreational fires shall be no larger than 2FT by 2 FT and 6M from adjacent properties and combustibles.

Non recreational fires shall be no larger than 2M by 2M and 25 Meters from adjacent properties and combustibles.

Please Remember:

Only environmentally friendly products may be burned.
No accelerants are permitted.
At a minimum, you are required to have a garden hose attached to a water source or 2 large pails of water, shovels, and anything that can assist in containing or extinguishing the fire should it spread from its origin.
All fires must be under constant supervision and control from time of lighting until it is totally extinguished. Use plenty of water to extinguish the fire.

Let's all do our part to prevent wildfires. Stay safe and stay fire smart! If you have any questions with regards to fire safety or the fire rating, please do not hesitate to contact our Fire Prevention Officer, Cameron Haffner, at (705) 788-4676 or by email: fpo@ryersontownship.ca.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I get a burn permit?

NO – We do not issue burn permit for domestic burning. We issue a general contractor burn permit for land clearing for new builds ONLY.

This requires a fire safety inspection of property before and while burning; there is a cost involved.
Can I have a campfire while the fire rating is on HIGH?

YES – Follow the guidelines as set out in the explanation of HIGH and notes below the explanations.

All fires are to be fully extinguished before leaving.
Can I burn furniture, bed mattresses, and household rubbish?

NO – Do not burn anything that is environmentally unfriendly. Untreated or natural materials only.
Can I have a campfire when the rating is at EXTREME?

NO – No fires are permitted. This is a total fire ban.
When can I set fireworks?

ONLY – When the fire rating is LOW or MODERATE.

Read the manufactures instruction prior setting fireworks. Please be responsible when setting fireworks. Though they are fun to watch, once in the air, they are unpredictable.
Can I light and release Chinese lanterns?

NO - There are By-laws in the municipalities of Burk's Falls, Ryerson and Armour that prohibits this.
What size fire can I have?

The fire department would advise when at LOW or MODERATE: no bigger than 6 feet wide, 6 feet tall. If you have a fire that is 3 feet in diameter, the flames will most likely be 5-6 feet. When HIGH, follow the guideline as set out in the explanations. Also, if windy, do not burn.

RULES

Open Air Burning Brush Burning

Open Air Grass Burning

Open Air Incinerator Burning

BYLAWS

Times for Setting Fires Bylaw

Carbon Monoxide Detector Bylaw

Fire Department Fees Bylaw

Regulate and Establish Fire Department Bylaw

FIRE CHIEF

Joe Readman

fire@ryersontownship.ca

705-382-4010 / 705-783-3571

DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF

Deputy Fire Chief

705-382-4010

FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER

Cameron Haffner

fpo@ryersontownship.ca

705-788-4676

FIRE PREVENTION

The Burk's Falls and District Fire Department has been accredited for Fire Department Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation. Contact your home insurance company to determine if you qualify for a reduction in annual fees.

Fire Department Water Tanker Shuttle Accreditation Certificate