Can I burn today in Papineau-Cameron?
Papineau-Cameron’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
- North Bay
- Observed
- 4:00 AM EDT Thursday 10 September 2026 · rating measured at the centre of Nipissing District, which covers a wide area
A rating is not permission. A fire ban can be declared at any time. Papineau-Cameron Fire Department decides — not this page.
No permit or application is required. Residents, owners, and visitors must independently comply with the by-law's standing conditions (pile size, distances, hours tied to sunset/sunrise, dry-wood-only) whenever setting an outdoor fire.
No permit required (Section 10)
No permits are required within this Municipality, however, each person whether an owner, resident or visitor shall abide by the rules set out in this by-law and are subject to the fines and penalties which it carries.
General burning conditions (Section 2)
(1) No person shall start a fire outdoors unless conditions will allow the fire to burn safely from start to extinguishment. (2) No person who starts a fire outdoors shall leave a fire without leaving a competent person in charge of the fire. (3) A person who starts a fire outdoors or, if the person who started the fire is not present, a person in charge of a fire outdoors shall take all necessary steps to tend the fire, keep the fire under control, and extinguish the fire before leaving the site.
Brush/wood pile conditions
The material is burned in a single pile that is less than 2 meters in diameter and less than 2 meters high. The fire is started not earlier than two hours before sunset, and is extinguished not later than two hours after sunrise the following day, or earlier, during the fire season. The fire is at least 2 meters away from any combustible materials.
Incinerator conditions
The incinerator is an enclosed device constructed entirely of non combustible material, which is not capable of holding more than one cubic meter of unburned material. The incinerator is at least five meters from any forest or woodland. The incinerator is at least two meters from any flammable materials. The outlet of the incinerator is covered with a screen having a mesh size of not more than five millimeters.
Weather/nuisance conditions (Section 8)
No open air fire shall be ignited when the conditions as such may cause any or all of the following: i. A decrease in visibility on any highway or roadway, ii. Inconvenience or irritation to others, iii. Fire spread through the grass, brush, forested area or other property that was not intended to be burned.
Barbecue/warmth exemption (Section 9)
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3,4 or 5 open fires may be set when such burning consists of a small confined fire, less than one meter in diameter and one meter in height, supervised at all times and is used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue, or is for personal warmth.
Fire Chief discretion (Section 11)
The Chief Fire Official or designate may order any fire extinguished or enact a fire ban within the municipality where and when conditions warrant.
A live readout of air quality, wind and fire danger for Papineau-Cameron — 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 — Papineau-Cameron Fire Department decides.