Fire Restrictions Enforced: Locations in Ottawa Valley Subject to Fire Ban

Fire Bans and Ban Lifts Across Ontario

In recent weeks, several municipalities in Ontario have implemented fire bans due to high forest fire danger ratings, while others have eased or lifted the restrictions following favourable weather conditions.

Fire Bans

As of August 11, the Townships of Renfrew, McNab/Braeside, Lanark Highlands, Central Frontenac, South Frontenac, North Frontenac, and Greater Madawaska have total fire bans in effect. The Township of Laurentian Valley and the Township of Bonnechere Valley have level 3 full fire bans, which prohibit all open-air burning. The Township of North Algona Wilberforce and the Township of West Carleton have level 2 total fire bans.

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and the Township of Madawaska Valley enforced total fire bans effective August 6 and August 16, respectively. The Township of Addington Highlands followed suit with a level 3 full fire ban effective August 16.

Arnprior, which was under a municipal-wide fire ban, lifted the restriction effective August 29, with the temporary suspension of all issued burn permits for 2025 removed. Applications for new burn permits will be processed and administered beginning on Tuesday, September 2.

Smiths Falls has prohibited all open burning effective August 11, and North Grenville announced a total burn ban on July 29.

Ban Lifts

Following significant rainfall and lower temperatures, the municipalities of Dammbach, Mespelbrunn, and Heimbuchenthal in Ontario lifted the complete fire ban last week.

Carleton Place lifted its open-air burning ban effective August 29. Mississippi Mills eased its total fire ban to Level 3 - High Risk as of August 28, allowing open-air burning but with extreme caution.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has rated several communities in the Ottawa Valley as having an extreme forest fire danger rating. These include Renfrew, Arnprior, Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Township of Greater Madawaska, parts of Township of Admaston/Bromley, parts of the Township of Bonnechere Valley, and the Township of McNab/Braeside.

Lanark County, including Perth, has a total fire ban effective August 11. The Township of Renfrew County North has a level 2 total fire ban effective August 16. Beckwith has downgraded its fire ban to campfires only effective Aug. 29.

As the weather continues to influence fire danger ratings, residents are advised to stay informed about their local fire ban status and adhere to all restrictions to ensure the safety of their communities.