Current Fire Danger Rating:
About the Muskoka Fire Danger Rating
The Fire Danger Rating is a Muskoka-wide rating system monitored from April 1 to October 31 each year. This is the Forest Fire Danger Rating for Ontario Fire Zone RF 27 (District of Muskoka). The rating is verified daily and updated whenever the rating changes.
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 several factors to determine the risk of the forest to certain fire types, such as:
- Relative humidity;
- Temperature;
- Previous 24-hour rain amount;
- Wind directions and wind speed; and
- Forest fuel type.
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 and Forestry.
What do the ratings mean?
Fire danger ratings range from low to a complete fire ban depending on conditions. Daytime burning is not allowed at all from April 1 to October 31, no matter what the rating is.
Low
Low danger of fire. You may conduct any municipally permitted fire activities. No daytime burning from April 1 to October 31.
Moderate
Moderate danger of fire. Carry out permitted fire activities with caution. No daytime burning from April 1 to October 31.
High
High danger of fire. Only absolutely necessary municipally permitted activities should be carried out. However, it is recommended that no burning should occur. No daytime burning from April 1 to October 31.
Extreme/Fire Ban
Extreme fire danger. NO BURNING OF ANY KIND and NO FIREWORKS ARE PERMITTED.
Fire Ban/Provincial Restricted Fire Zone
NO BURNING OF ANY KIND and NO FIREWORKS ARE PERMITTED.
In some cases the Province may issue a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) for the region. As with a municipal fire ban, there is NO BURNING OF ANY KIND and NO FIREWORKS ARE PERMITTED during a Provincial RFZ. For more information click here.