Can I burn today in Machar?
Machar’s by-law does not set out what each fire danger rating allows, so this page cannot tell you whether today is a burning day. Today’s rating is beside this, and the fire hall below has the answer.
- Air quality (AQHI)
- 2 · Low risk
- Measured at
- Parry Sound
- Observed
- 3:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Parry Sound District, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. Machar requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. South River Machar Fire Department (joint department serving the Village of South River and the Township of Machar) decides — not this page.
not stated in by-law (Permit is defined as being issued "for a specified time period")
not stated in by-law (Permit is defined as being issued "for a specified time period")
Check the current fire rating for the South River Machar Fire Department response area (published on srmfd.com and on the Township's Fire Department page) before burning.
Determine whether a permit is needed: camp fires (max 0.3m3) and outdoor fireplaces meeting the Part III conditions are exempt; all other open air burning requires a permit from the Fire Chief.
Apply online via the SRMFD burn permit portal at srmfd.burnpermits.com/, or in person, or by phone at 705-386-0066 during normal business hours.
Complete the application on the form provided by the South River Machar Fire Department and submit it to the fire department; submit any applicable fees to the Township of Machar (By-law 39-12 s.2.2).
Burn only within the permit conditions: evening only (not between midnight and 6pm), 30 m from buildings/structures, wind under 20 km/h, max 1 cubic metre, wood or wood products only, with means of extinguishment on hand, and produce the permit on demand to a firefighter.
1.4 Total Fire Ban
No Open Air Burning shall be permitted when a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Township of Machar.
1.5 Smog Alert / air quality
No Open Air Burning shall be permitted when a Smog Alert has been issued for the District of Parry Sound and/or the District of Nipissing.
1.6 Fireworks during fire bans
No Fireworks shall be discharged when a Total Fire Ban or a Partial Fire Ban has been declared for the Township of Machar.
1.1 Definition — Partial Fire Ban
"Partial Fire Ban" is declared by the Fire Chief or his/her designate for the Township of Machar. During a Partial Fire Ban, no permits for open fire burning will be issued and no discharge of fireworks is permitted. Camp Fires and the use of an Outdoor Fireplace are still permitted during a Partial Fire Ban.
1.1 Definition — Smog Alert
"Smog Alert" means an alert issued by the Ministry of Environment with respect to air quality.
2.1 Permit required
Except as provided in Part III of this By-law, no person shall set, maintain, or cause to be set, a fire in the Open Air unless a Permit has been issued by the Fire Chief.
2.2 Application
(1) An application for a Permit must be completed on a form provided by the South River Machar Department. (2) Each completed Permit must be submitted to The South River Machar Fire Department, any applicable fees must be submitted to the Township of Machar.
2.3 Fees
The fees for issuing a Fire Permit are as follows: (1) Fee for an Evening Fire Permit is $5.00. (2) Fee for a Day Use/Exemption Permit is $10.00.
2.4(1) Conditions — hours, setbacks, wind, size, materials
Except as otherwise permitted in the Permit issued under this Part, a Permit holder shall not set or maintain Open Air Burning, or cause Open Air Burning to be set or maintained: (a) between 12am midnight and 6pm; (b) at a distance of less than thirty (30) meters from any building or structure; (c) if the wind velocity is greater than twenty (20) kilometers per hour; (d) that exceeds one (1) cubic meter in size; (e) within five (5) meters of combustible Ground Cover; (f) without a suitable means of extinguishment available while the fire is burning; (g) if it creates a Nuisance; (h) of any material other than wood or wood products.
2.5 Permit holder duties
The holder of a Permit issued under this Part shall: (1) maintain constant watch and control over the Open Air Burning from the time of the setting of the fire until the fire is totally extinguished; and (2) produce the Permit on demand to a Firefighter conducting an inspection of the Open Air Burning.
3.1 Outdoor Fireplace exemption
An Outdoor Fire Place may be operated without a Permit if: (a) it is located at a distance of not less than five (5) meters between the fireplace and any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article; (b) it is located on a non-combustible surface extending beyond the unit to an equal dimension to the height of the unit; (c) it does not create a Nuisance; (d) a portable extinguisher or operable garden hose is available while the unit is in operation; and (e) the Owner maintains constant watch and control over the Outdoor Fireplace from the time of setting the fire until it is totally extinguished.
3.2 Camp Fire exemption
A person may set or cause to be set or maintained a Camp Fire without obtaining a Permit provided that: (a) the fire is not more than 0.3m3 in size; (b) the fire is located at a distance of not less than five (5) meters between the fireplace and any building, structure, property line, tree, hedge, fence, roadway, overhead wire or other combustible article; (c) the wind velocity is not greater than twenty (20) kilometers per hour; (d) the fire does not create a Nuisance; (e) a suitable means of extinguishment is available while the fire is burning; and (f) the Owner maintains constant watch and control over the Camp Fire from the time of setting the fire until it is totally extinguished.
1.3 Environment
All Open Air Burning shall comply with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.E.19, as amended.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Machar — free, for any municipality, customer or not. See it and get the link.
By-laws change. This page summarises public documents and is not legal advice or permission to burn — South River Machar Fire Department (joint department serving the Village of South River and the Township of Machar) decides.