Wildland fire season officially ends

Tim Brody - Editor

The 2024 wildland fire season officially ended on Oct. 31 and according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, 2024 was a slower fire season in Ontario.
“Ontario saw more than 475 fires and nearly 90,000 hectares burned – compared to the 10-year average of 694 fires and 201,781 hectares burned. While the fire season was less active than in recent years, the province’s fire crews were kept busy helping other Canadian provinces,” The Ministry shared.
“I’m proud and thankful for the work of Ontario’s FireRangers who bravely protect people and communities from wildland fire,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources in a Nov. 1 news release. “Not only did our highly skilled FireRangers, pilots and staff behind the scenes provide crucial support here at home, they also helped our partners across Canada, sharing expertise when they were needed.”
The Ministry shared that over the course of the fire season, “Ontario protected people, property and natural resources from wildland fires, and was also able to deploy equipment, 14 aircraft and more than 780 fire management personnel to support our partners in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories in their firefighting efforts.” 
“This season, the government continued to improve and modernize our equipment, personnel and air fleet. Ontario is partnering with the federal government to invest a total of $64 million to mitigate and prepare for future wildland fire challenges. The province is contracting more aircraft, creating new permanent positions and providing firefighters and investigators with the same access to benefits as municipal counterparts. These investments are being made to ensure Ontario remains an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire management and coordinates the protection of 90 million hectares of Crown land in Ontario,” the Ministry noted.
“This fall, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning. In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill. If you must burn, follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations,” AFFES shared, adding, “We thank all of our Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services team for their hard work and dedication this wildland fire season and continue to encourage members of the public to exercise caution during the off-season when having an outdoor fire. Residents within municipal boundaries should check with their local fire department for burning restrictions or permitting requirements.” 
Fire permits can ben purchased in the Municipality of Sioux Lookout at the Municipal Office, located at 25 Fifth Avenue, from the Finance Department.
The Municipality explains on their website under Fire Permits:

• Fire Permits are required to burn brush and grass. 
  
• Between April 1st and October 31st, burning is permitted between two hours before dusk through two hours after sunrise. 
  
• Between November 1st and March 31st, burning is also permitted during daylight hours.  Additional regulations apply. 
  
• Fire Permits are required for all Outdoor Incinerators; materials to be burned are limited to wood or wood by-products. Additional regulations apply. 
  Individuals who do not possess a fire permit will be subject to a fine as set out in By-Law No. 11-04. 
  

“A Fire Permit is required throughout the year, however, during this time period (November 1st to March 31st) you are allowed to burn during the daytime and follow any municipal or provincial fire bans,” the Municipality’s website notes. 
Ontario’s wildland fire season officially runs from April 1 to Oct. 31.