OPEN AIR FIRE BAN IN PERTH COUNTY

PERTH COUNTY (6 August, 2025) – Effective at midnight tonight, all open air fires are prohibited anywhere in Perth County, including the Town of St. Marys. Open air fires are defined as any fire outside of a building and include any fires that are not in a contained campfire pit, or any other fires set in open air.

Recreational campfires will be permitted within the parameters of each Town / Municipality’s Open Air Burn By-Law. Residents must ensure that they are fully extinguished after use. Please visit your local Fire Department website to view the By-Law or reach out to the below contacts.

This fire ban is being imposed due to the extreme dryness of all vegetation in the area. This ban shall remain in effect until further notice.

For the rural areas, with seasonal crops being harvested, farmers are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when operating equipment, as field fires can quickly overtake equipment, neighbouring crops and these fires can spread quickly into adjacent woodlands.

If you discover an open air fire, it is very important that you report fires immediately to 9-1-1. Do not delay reporting while attempting to control or extinguish the fire.

All burn permits in these municipalities are suspended as of midnight tonight. No burn permits will be issued until the ban is lifted.

Contact
Phil West | Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief
519-284-2340, ext. 201 | pwest@town.stmarys.on.ca