Can I burn today in McDougall?
McDougall’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. McDougall requires a permit, and a fire ban can be declared at any time. McDougall Fire Department decides — not this page.
unknown — required year-round for daytime burning; permit duration not stated in the sources retrieved
Check the Municipality's current Fire Rating at mcdougall.ca/p/fire-rating.
For evening burning only (2 hours before sunset until 2 hours after sunrise), no permit is required provided the fire rating is Low or Moderate and the fire stays within 2 metres diameter and 2 metres height. Evening burning is not permitted at High or Extreme ratings.
For any daytime burning (2 hours after sunrise until 2 hours before sunset) a permit is required, year-round.
Download the 'Day Burning Permit' PDF from the Forms, Permits and Applications page (mcdougall2022.municipalwebsites.ca/Editor/images/Fire/Day Burn Permit.pdf), or pick up a hard copy at the municipal office.
Complete the form and email it to the Fire Chief at pshoebottom@mcdougall.ca, or return the hard copy to the municipal office.
There are no application fees for the burn permit.
If you cannot locate the form, call the office at (705) 342-5252.
Fire Season
the period of the 1st day of April to the 31st day of October in each year
Permit requirement — daytime fires
No person shall start or maintain a daytime outdoor fire during the Fire Season unless the person has a permit
Daytime fire hours
ignited and maintained between 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset
Evening fire hours
ignited during the hours of 2 hours before sunset until 2 hours after sunrise the following day
Setback from flammable materials
No person shall start or maintain an open air fire within two meters from any flammable materials
Fire danger rating definition
Low, Medium, High or Extreme Fire Hazard as declared by the Chief Fire Official.
Extreme Fire Hazard prohibition (as returned with elision — see _gaps)
No person shall...start or maintain any open air fire during a period of Extreme Fire Hazard.
High Fire Hazard prohibition (as returned with elision — see _gaps)
No person shall...start or maintain any open air fire during a period of High Fire Hazard, other than a campfire
Fire danger rating LOW — Municipality's published rule
Normal burning and residential fireworks allowed
Fire danger rating MODERATE — Municipality's published rule
Normal burning and residential fireworks allowed
Fire danger rating HIGH — Municipality's published rule
No open burning allowed other than recreational campfires; LIGHTING OF RESIDENTIAL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
Fire danger rating EXTREME — Municipality's published rule
No open burning allowed; LIGHTING OF ALL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
RESTRICTED FIRE ZONE — Municipality's published rule
Condition where the wild land is so dry that no open flame is allowed at all; LIGHTING OF ALL FIREWORKS ARE BANNED
Daytime burning definition — Municipality's published FAQ
Daytime Burning is considered between the hours of 2 hours after sunrise until 2 hours before sunset.
Evening burning size limit — Municipality's published rule
2meters in diameter/2 meters in height
Residential fireworks days — Municipality's published rule
Residential fireworks are permitted on Victoria Day, Canada Day, and the Civic Holiday including one day before and one day after each — provided that fire rating is Low or Moderate.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for McDougall — 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 — McDougall Fire Department decides.