The Muskoka Fire Danger Rating has been elevated to HIGH due to increasingly dry conditions and several recent wildland fires in the region. With warm weather and low humidity, the risk of wildfire is serious.
When the fire danger rating is HIGH, extreme caution must be taken with all open flames. Forest fuels are very dry, meaning new fires can start easily, burn aggressively, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must also be used in any forest activities.
Muskoka fire danger rating definitions
The Muskoka Fire Danger Rating is determined using the Fire Weather Index (FWI), an internationally used method for determining the risk of fires in open air. It uses factors such as the relative humidity, temperature, previous 24-hour rain amount, wind directions and wind speed in combination with the forest fuel type and loads to determine the risk of the forest to certain fire types. From this calculation the Forest Fire Danger Rating is made in consultation with the Fire Chiefs of the six area municipalities and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Muskoka Fire Season runs April 1 to October 31 each year and the rating is verified daily and updated whenever the rating changes.
Low
- Campfires for cooking and heat only
Moderate
- Fires for cooking and heat when there are no other sources
- Extra care is required for all burning
High
- Avoid campfires
- Use extreme caution with all fires
Extreme
- Total fire ban
- No burning at any time
- Includes charcoal BBQs
- Fireworks are banned
For more information on outdoor burning, visit: huntsville.ca/fire in Huntsville and in Lake of Bays: https://www.lakeofbays.on.ca/our-community/fireemergency-services/fire-department/
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