Wildland Fire Management Act

Bills that amended this Act0

No published amendment links yet for this Act.

Sections127

• [s0]

  Interpretation

• 1.
• [s1]
• 0.1Purpose

  0.1 The purpose of this Act is to provide guidance and direction for wildland fire management so as to protect public safety and minimize adverse environmental, economic, health and social impacts of wildland fires, and to contribute to a resilient province. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 3. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 3 - 01/01/2026

• 2.
• 1Definitions

  1 (1) In this Act, “boat” includes a motorboat, rowboat, canoe, punt, sailboat or raft; (“bateau”) “conveyance” means a vehicle, boat or aircraft; (“moyen de transport”) “fire” means any type of outdoor fire, including a wildland fire, a campfire, a fire on a charcoal barbecue or an outdoor wood burning furnace or stove; (“feu”, “incendie”) “justice” has the same meaning as in the Provincial Offences Act; (“juge”) “Minister” means the Minister of Natural Resources; (“ministre”) “Ministry” means the Ministry of Natural Resources; (“ministère”) “motorboat” means a boat with a motor that is attached to the boat and that is capable of being used as a means of propulsion, and includes any floating object being towed by a motorboat; (“bateau à moteur”) “municipality” means a local municipality; (“municipalité”) “officer” means any officer appointed or designated under section 4; (“agent”) “own…

• 3.
• [s3]

  Administration

• 4.
• [s4]
• 2Administration

  2 The administration of this Act is under the control and direction of the Minister. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 2.

• 5.
• 3Application of Act

  3 (1) This Act applies only to fire regions. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 3 (1). Right of action for damages not affected (2) Subject to section 21.2, nothing in this Act affects or shall be held to limit or interfere with the right of any person to bring and maintain a civil action for damages occasioned by fire. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 3 (2); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 5. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 5 - 01/01/2026

• 6Information to be given to officer by tourists, etc.
• 4Officers

  4 (1) The Minister may appoint a person as an officer, or designate a class of persons as officers, in one or more of the following categories of officers for the purposes of this Act and the regulations: 1. Wildland fire officer. 2. Wildland fire compliance officer. 3. Wildland fire investigator. 4. Wildland fire enforcement officer. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 6. Wildland fire compliance officer (2) By virtue of their office, a person who is appointed as a wildland fire compliance officer is both a wildland fire compliance officer and a wildland fire officer. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 6. Wildland fire investigator (3) By virtue of their office, a person who is appointed as a wildland fire investigator is both a wildland fire investigator and a wildland fire compliance officer. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 6. Wildland fire enforcement officer (4) By virtue of their office, a person who is ap…

• 7.
• 5Right of entry for wildland fire management

  5 For the purposes of wildland fire management, a wildland fire officer may enter private land and may authorize any other person acting under their direction to enter private land, with or without the officer, for the purpose of assisting the officer. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (1) - 26/11/2002 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (5) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7 - 01/01/2026

• 8.
• 4 #8Officers
• 5.1Temporary closure for fire investigation

  5.1 (1) A wildland fire officer may temporarily close off an area or building until an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances of a wildland fire is completed. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Offence (2) No person shall enter or remain in an area or building temporarily closed by an officer under subsection (1) unless authorized by a wildland fire officer. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7 - 01/01/2026

• 9.
• 10.
• 5.2Inspection of places

  5.2 (1) For the purposes of this Act or the regulations or for the purpose of inspecting the site of a fire to determine its cause and circumstances, a wildland fire compliance officer may enter onto any land and inspect any building, vehicle, equipment, machinery, structure or other thing which the wildland fire compliance officer believes on reasonable grounds relates to any work or undertaking or any other thing to which this Act or the regulations apply. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Powers during inspection (2) During the inspection, the wildland fire compliance officer may, (a) require the production of any thing that is or may be relevant to the inspection; (b) require the production of and inspect any document that is required to be kept under this Act; (c) require that any vehicle, equipment, machinery or other thing be operated, used or set in motion under conditions specified b…

• 11.
• 5 #10Right of entry for wildland fire management
• 5.3Stopping conveyances to inspect

  5.3 (1) A wildland fire compliance officer may stop a conveyance if they have reasonable grounds to believe that stopping the conveyance would assist in determining whether there is compliance with this Act or the regulations or for the purposes of gathering information about a fire. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Operator to stop (2) On the wildland fire compliance officer’s signal to stop, the operator of the conveyance shall immediately stop and produce for inspection any document or other thing requested by the officer for the purposes of this Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Stop signals (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), signals to stop include, (a) intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light, in the case of a vehicle; (b) intermittent flashes of blue light, in the case of a boat; and (c) a hand signal to stop, in the case of a vehicle or boat. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1,…

• 12.
• 5.4Search warrants re offences

  5.4 (1) A wildland fire enforcement officer may obtain a search warrant under Part VIII of the Provincial Offences Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Exigent circumstances (2) If a wildland fire enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that there is in a building, conveyance or other place any thing that will afford evidence of an offence under this Act but that the time required to obtain a warrant would lead to the loss, removal or destruction of the evidence, the wildland fire enforcement officer may, without a warrant, enter and search the building or other place or stop, detain, enter and search the conveyance. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Exception, dwellings (3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a building or part of a building that is being used as a dwelling. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Use of computers, etc. (4) A wildland fire enforcement officer who is conducting …

• 13.
• 5.5Warrant to conduct tests

  5.5 (1) On application without notice, a justice may issue a warrant authorizing a wildland fire enforcement officer and any person specified in the warrant to use any investigative technique or procedure or to take any action described in the warrant if the justice is satisfied by information under oath that, (a) there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under this Act has been or is being committed; and (b) evidence concerning the offence will be obtained through the use of the technique or procedure or taking the action. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Power to enter, etc. (2) A warrant may authorize a wildland fire enforcement officer or other specified person to enter and search the building or other place for which the warrant was issued and, without limiting the powers of the justice under subsection (1), the warrant may, in respect of the alleged offence, authorize the…

• 14.
• 5.6Production orders

  5.6 (1) On application without notice and subject to subsection (3), a justice may issue an order to a person other than a person under investigation for an offence requiring the person to, (a) produce documents or copies of documents, certified by affidavit to be true copies; (b) produce data; or (c) prepare a document based on documents or data already in existence and produce it. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Content of order (2) An order under subsection (1) shall require the document or data to be produced within the time, at the place and in the form specified in the order and require that it be given to a wildland fire enforcement officer named in the order. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Grounds for order (3) A justice may make an order under subsection (1) if they are satisfied by information given under oath or affirmation that there are reasonable grounds to believe that, (a) an …

• 15.
• 5.7Arrest without warrant

  5.7 (1) A wildland fire enforcement officer may arrest, without warrant, a person that they have reasonable grounds to believe is committing, has committed or is about to commit an offence under this Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Release (2) If a wildland fire enforcement officer arrests a person under this section, the officer shall, as soon as practicable, release the person from custody, unless the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that, (a) it is necessary in the public interest for the person arrested to be detained, having regard to all the circumstances, including the need to, (i) establish the identity of the person, (ii) secure or preserve evidence of or relating to the offence, or (iii) prevent the continuation or repetition of the offence or the commission of another offence; or (b) the person arrested, if released, will not respond to a summons or offence notice o…

• 16.
• 5.8Seizure and forfeiture

  5.8 (1) A wildland fire investigator who lawfully enters onto any lands or into an area or building under this Act may seize any thing that the wildland fire investigator believes on reasonable grounds, (a) has been used in the commission of an offence under this Act; (b) will afford evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act; (c) will afford evidence of the cause of a fire; or (d) is intermixed with a thing referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Presence pursuant to warrant (2) If the wildland fire investigator is in the area or building pursuant to a warrant, subsection (1) applies to any thing, whether or not it is specified in the warrant. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Safekeeping (3) A wildland fire investigator shall deliver any thing they seize to a person authorized by the Minister for safekeeping. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Leaving with…

• 17.
• 5.9Evidence

  5.9 A copy of a document produced under section 5.2, 5.4, 5.6 or 5.8 on proof by affidavit that it is a true copy, is admissible in evidence in proceedings under this Act and has the same probative force as the original document would have if it had been proved in the ordinary way. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 7 - 01/01/2026

• 18.
• 6.Information to be given to wildland fire officer by persons in wildland areas

  6. Every person in a wildland area shall, on request, give a wildland fire officer the following information: 1. The person’s name. 2. The person’s address. 3. The person’s contact information. 4. The routes the person will be following within the wildland area. 5. Any locations where the person will be staying overnight in the wildland area. 6. Any other information pertaining to the protection of persons and the wildland area from fire. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 8. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (6) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 8 - 01/01/2026

• 19.
• 7Right to summon assistance

  7 (1) For the purposes of controlling or extinguishing a fire, or for the purposes of responding to a wildland fire emergency, a wildland fire compliance officer may, (a) use any privately-owned equipment; (b) employ or summon the assistance of every able person over the age of 18, except persons providing essential services and persons physically unfit; and (c) on private lands, take such action as the wildland fire compliance officer considers advisable to control or extinguish a fire or to respond to a wildland fire emergency. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 9. Regulations (2) The Minister may make regulations prescribing the use of any privately-owned equipment, and the employment and summoning of persons as set out in subsection (1), including, (a) prescribing the rates to be paid, and the terms and conditions for use of equipment; (b) prescribing rates to be paid for the employment or su…

• 20.
• 8Repealed

  8 Repealed: 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 10. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 10 - 01/01/2026

• 21.
• 9Repealed

  9 Repealed: 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (7). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (7) - 15/12/2009

• [s21]

  Fire Season

• 6 #21Information to be given to wildland fire officer by persons in wildland areas
• 10Fire season

  10 (1) The period from the 1st day of April to the 31st day of October in each year shall be a fire season. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 10. Minister’s order extending fire season (2) The Minister may, by order, declare any period between January 1 and March 31, both inclusive, or between November 1 and December 31, both inclusive, in any year to be a fire season in a fire region or any part of a fire region. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 11. Legislation Act, 2006, Part III (3) Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006 does not apply to an order made under subsection (2). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 11. Notice of order (4) The Minister shall provide notice of an order made under subsection (2) at such time and in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 11. Proof of order (5) A document that purports to be an order made under subsection (2) or that pur…

• 22.
• 11Fires in fire season

  11 (1) No person shall start or tend a fire outdoors during a fire season in an area outside a restricted fire zone except, (a) under the authority of and in accordance with a fire permit issued pursuant to subsection (2); or (b) in the prescribed circumstances. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 12. Issuance of fire permit (2) A wildland fire compliance officer may, in accordance with any regulations, (a) issue a fire permit that allows the holder of the permit to have a fire outdoors during the fire season; and (b) impose written conditions on the fire permit. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 12. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (1) - 17/05/1996 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 12 - 01/01/2026

• 23.
• 7 #23Right to summon assistance
• [s24]

  Restricted Fire Zones

• 24.
• 11.1Restricted fire zone order

  11.1 (1) The Minister may, by order, declare all or any part of the fire region as a restricted fire zone. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 14. Legislation Act, 2006, Part III (2) Part III (Regulations) of the Legislation Act, 2006 does not apply to an order made under subsection (1). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 14. Notice of order (3) The Minister shall provide notice of an order made under subsection (1) at such time and in such manner as the Minister considers appropriate. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 14. Proof of order (4) A document that purports to be an order made under subsection (1) or that purports to be a copy of an order made under subsection (1) is admissible in evidence as proof of the making of the order and of the order’s contents, in the absence of evidence to the contrary. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 14. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 14 - 01/…

• 25.
• [s26]
• 12Fires in restricted fire zones

  12 (1) No person shall start or tend a fire outdoors in a restricted fire zone, (a) except under the authority of and in accordance with a fire permit issued under subsection (2); or (b) unless the fire is for the purpose of cooking or obtaining warmth and the fire is in a stove or installation of a kind prescribed by the regulations. 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (1); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 15 (1, 2). Issuance of fire permit (2) A wildland fire compliance officer may, in accordance with any regulations made under this Act, (a) issue a fire permit that allows the holder of the permit to have a fire outdoors in a restricted fire zone; and (b) impose written conditions on the fire permit. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 15 (3). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (1) - 22/12/1999 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 15 (1-3) - 01/01/2026

• 26.
• 13Repealed

  13 Repealed: 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (1). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (1) - 17/05/1996

• 27.
• [s28]

  Prevention Measures

• 28.
• 11 #29Fires in fire season
• 14Repealed

  14 Repealed: 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (2). Note: On a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the Act is amended by adding the following section: (See: 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 16)

• 29.
• [s30]
• 14 #30Wildland fire management plan

  14 (1) The following entities shall prepare a wildland fire management plan that meets the prescribed standards: 1. Every municipality located in a fire region. 2. Any prescribed entity carrying out prescribed activities or operating in prescribed locations in a fire region. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 16. Deemed plan (2) If an entity referred to in subsection (1) has prepared a plan for a different purpose and, in the opinion of the Minister, that plan meets the prescribed standards for a wildland fire management plan, the plan is deemed to be a wildland fire management plan. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 16. Provision of plan (3) An entity referred to in subsection (1) shall provide the wildland fire management plan referred to in subsection (1) or (2), as the case may be, to the Ministry on request within the time specified in the request. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 16. Order to create or up…

• 30.
• [s31]
• 15Equipment

  15 If a work schedule under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994 or any provision of this Act or the regulations requires equipment to be kept at a site, the equipment shall be in working order and, if a type is specified, the equipment shall be of the specified type. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 17 (1). Note: On a day to be named by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, section 15 of the Act is amended by striking out “If a work schedule” at the beginning and substituting “If a wildland fire management plan, a work schedule”. (See: 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 17 (2)) Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (3) - 17/05/1996 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 17 (1) - 01/01/2026; 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 17 (2) - not in force

• 31.
• 16Disposal of refuse on land being cleared

  16 (1) Every person clearing land shall, subject to the regulations made under clause 36 (1) (c), pile and burn all brush, debris, non-merchantable timber and other flammable material cut or accumulated thereon. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 16 (1); 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (4); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 18 (1). Exception (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to material that is dealt with in accordance with the regulations made under clause 36 (1) (d). 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (5); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 18 (2). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (4, 5) - 17/05/1996 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 18 (1, 2) - 01/01/2026

• 32.
• 17Clearing in neighbourhood of mills, etc.

  17 Every person having charge of a camp, a mine, a mill for the purpose of manufacturing timber or wood products or a garbage dump that is located in or within 300 metres of a wildland area shall have the area surrounding the camp, mine, mill or dump cleared of flammable debris for a distance of at least 30 metres and such further distance as may be ordered by a wildland fire compliance officer. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 17; 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (2); 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (8); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 19, 41. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (2) - 26/11/2002 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (8) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 19, 41 - 01/01/2026

• 33.
• 18Power of officer as to fire dangers

  18 (1) If a wildland fire compliance officer finds on any land, building, structure or equipment a condition or activity that, in their opinion, may cause danger to life or property from fire, the wildland fire compliance officer may make an order requiring the owner or person in control of the land, building, structure or equipment, the person who caused the condition, or any person engaged in or responsible for the activity to take such action, within the time specified by the order, as the wildland fire compliance officer considers necessary to eliminate or reduce the danger. 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (3); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 20 (1). Action by officer (2) If the person against whom an order is made under subsection (1) does not comply with the order, the wildland fire compliance officer, with such assistants as he or she requires, may take such action as the wildland fire comp…

• 34.
• [s35]
• 19Wildland fire management agreements

  19 (1) The Minister may enter into agreements with respect to wildland fire management. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 21. Authorization re prohibited activities (2) An agreement under subsection (1) may authorize a party to the agreement to engage in an activity specified in the agreement that would otherwise be prohibited under this Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 21. Same (3) A party to an agreement who is authorized to engage in an activity under subsection (2) shall comply with any conditions specified in the agreement relating to the authorization. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 21. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (4) - 26/11/2002 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 21 - 01/01/2026

• 35.
• [s36]

  Extinguishment of Fires

• 36.
• 14 #37Wildland fire management plan
• 20Extinguishment of fires

  20 In the interest of public safety or the protection of a wildland area, a wildland fire officer may, at any time, extinguish a fire or order any person in charge or apparently in charge of a fire to extinguish the fire. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 22. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 22 - 01/01/2026

• 37.
• 21Duty of municipality

  21 (1) Subject to an agreement made under subsection 19 (1) and to subsection (2), every municipality in a fire region shall at its expense extinguish wildland fires within its limits, but where the action taken by it in extinguishing any such fire is in the opinion of a wildland fire compliance officer not adequate, the wildland fire compliance officer may take such action as he or she considers necessary to control and extinguish the fire, and the cost and expenses incurred by the Ministry in controlling and extinguishing the fire are payable by the municipality to the Minister of Finance, on the date specified in the request for payment, and are recoverable as a debt due to the Crown in right of Ontario by any remedy or procedure available to the Crown by law. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 21 (1); 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (5); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 23. Contribution by Ministry (2) U…

• 15 #39Equipment
• 21.1Application

  21.1 (1) This section applies with respect to a fire that is caused by the conduct of a person, including any failure of the person to comply with a provision of this Act or the regulations, an order made under this Act or the conditions of a permit issued under this Act. 2017, c. 8, Sched. 12, s. 1. Liability for costs (2) A person referred to in subsection (1) is liable to the Crown or to any other person who carries out activities to control or extinguish the fire for the costs or expenses of any action taken by the Crown or the person to control or extinguish the fire and shall reimburse the Crown or the person for those costs or expenses. 2017, c. 8, Sched. 12, s. 1. Liability to Crown for damages (3) A person referred to in subsection (1) is liable to the Crown for any loss or damage incurred by the Crown as a direct or indirect result of the fire, including, (a) the loss of any fo…

• 21.2No private law duty of care

  21.2 The Minister does not owe a private law duty of care to any person in respect of, (a) any agreement entered into under subsection 19 (1); (b) any purported failure to enter into, amend or terminate any such agreement; (c) any order or implementation order or any permit made or issued under section 23; or (d) any purported failure to make, issue, amend or revoke any such order, implementation order or permit. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 25. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 25 - 01/01/2026

• 22Reporting of fires

  22 Every person who has started a fire outdoors, or is in charge of a fire outdoors, that is not kept under control shall report the fire without undue delay to a wildland fire officer and in any prosecution or action the onus is upon the person to prove that he or she so reported the fire. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 22; 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 26. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 26 - 01/01/2026

• 23Emergency area orders

  23 (1) Where in the opinion of the Minister a wildland fire emergency exists, the Minister may, by order, declare an area to be a wildland fire emergency area. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 27. Implementation orders (2) The Minister may make implementation orders and take such action as they consider necessary for effectual wildland fire management or for the safety of or evacuation of persons in an area that is the subject of a declaration under subsection (1). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 27. No contravention without permit (3) No person shall contravene an implementation order, except in accordance with a permit issued by the Minister under subsection (4). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 27. Permit re otherwise prohibited activities (4) The Minister may issue a permit that authorizes a person or class of persons to engage in specified activities that would otherwise be prohibited under subsection …

• 24Repealed

  24 Repealed: 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (6). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 1, Sched. N, s. 1 (6) - 17/05/1996

• [s44]

  Offences and Penalties

• 19 #44Wildland fire management agreements
• [s45]
• 25Obstruction of officers

  25 A person shall not, (a) knowingly make a false or misleading statement to a wildland fire officer who is acting under this Act; or (b) hinder, impede or otherwise obstruct a wildland fire officer who is acting under this Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 29. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 29 - 01/01/2026

• 26Rendering assistance

  26 No person shall refuse or neglect to provide any privately-owned equipment or to render assistance when required under section 7. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 26.

• 20 #47Extinguishment of fires
• 27Accumulation of flammable refuse

  27 No person shall within 800 metres of a municipality accumulate flammable debris or permit any such accumulation to remain on any property owned by the person or under the person’s control. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 27; 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table - 01/01/2003

• 28Smoking prohibited

  28 No person shall smoke while walking or working in a wildland area during the fire season. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 28; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (9); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (9) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41 - 01/01/2026

• 29Smoking material, etc.

  29 No person shall throw or drop, in or within 300 metres of a wildland area, (a) a lighted match, cigarette, cigar or other smoking material; (b) live coals; or (c) hot ashes. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 29; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (10); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (10) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41 - 01/01/2026

• 30Discharge of firearms

  30 No person who discharges a firearm, a flare, fireworks or explosives in or within 300 metres of a wildland area shall leave any residue from the discharge unextinguished. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 30; 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (5); 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (7); 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (10); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (5) - 22/12/1999 2002, c. 18, Sched. L, s. 4 (7) - 26/11/2002 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (10) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41 - 01/01/2026

• 31Destruction of notices or signs

  31 No person shall, without lawful authority, tear down, remove, damage, deface or interfere with any notice or sign put up, posted or placed by the Ministry for the purposes of wildland fire prevention. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 31; 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 30. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 30 - 01/01/2026

• 32Destruction of equipment, etc.

  32 No person shall, without lawful authority, tear down, remove, damage, deface or interfere with any equipment, building or structure placed in any area for the purpose of protecting the wildland area or for wildland fire management. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 32; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (11); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 31. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (11) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 31 - 01/01/2026

• 23 #53Emergency area orders
• 33Spark arresters

  33 No person shall use or operate in or within 300 metres of a wildland area any burner, chimney, engine, incinerator or other spark-emitting outlet that is not provided with an adequate device for arresting sparks. R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24, s. 33; 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (12); 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2009, c. 33, Sched. 22, s. 3 (12) - 15/12/2009 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 41 - 01/01/2026

• 34Railways

  34 The provisions of the Railway Safety Act (Canada) and the regulations made under that Act that relate to the prevention and control of fires apply with necessary modifications to any railway that is subject to the legislative jurisdiction of the Province of Ontario. 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (6). Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3 (6) - 22/12/1999

• [s55]
• 34.1Offences for contravention or failure to comply

  34.1 Every person is guilty of an offence who contravenes, fails to comply with or attempts to contravene or fail to comply with, (a) a provision of this Act or the regulations; (b) an order made under this Act; (c) a condition of a permit issued under this Act; or (d) a condition set out in an agreement made under subsection 19 (1). 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 32. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 32 - 01/01/2026

• [s56]
• 35Penalties

  35 (1) A person who is guilty of an offence set out in section 34.1 is liable, on conviction, to, (a) if the person is an individual, a fine of not more than $50,000, a term of imprisonment of not more than one year, or to both; or (b) if the person is a corporation, a fine of not more than $500,000. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 34 (1). Order re other penalties (1.1) If a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court may, on its own initiative or on the motion of the prosecutor, make one or more of the following orders in addition to any other penalty: 1. An order requiring the person to refrain from engaging in any activity that could, in the opinion of the court, result in the continuation or repetition of the offence. 2. An order requiring the person to take any action that the court considers appropriate to remedy or prevent any harm to a wildland area that was a direc…

• 35.1Remediation orders

  35.1 (1) If a prescribed person is satisfied that a person is contravening or not complying with a provision of this Act or the regulations, unless the provision is prescribed, the prescribed person may issue a remediation order to the person in accordance with this section and the regulations. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 35. Contents of order (2) The remediation order referred to in subsection (1) shall be in writing and shall include the following information: 1. The particulars of the contravention of this Act or the regulations. 2. The activity that shall be performed for remediation purposes by the person who contravened or failed to comply with a provision of this Act or the regulations. 3. The date by which the activity referred to in paragraph 2 is to be carried out. 4. The right to request a review of the remediation order. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 35. Purposes of remediation act…

• 25 #58Obstruction of officers
• 35.2Purpose

  35.2 (1) The purpose of an administrative penalty imposed under this section is to promote compliance with the requirements established under this Act. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 36. Order imposing administrative penalties (2) If a prescribed person is satisfied that a person is contravening or not complying with a provision of this Act or the regulations, unless the provision has been prescribed, the prescribed person may, by order, impose an administrative penalty on the person in accordance with this section and the regulations. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 36. Content of order (3) The order imposing an administrative penalty shall be in writing and shall include the following information: 1. The particulars of the contravention of this Act or the regulations. 2. The date and time by which payment of the administrative penalty must be made. 3. The amount payable and how payment of the adm…

• [s59]

  General

• 35.3Standard of review

  35.3 In any judicial review of a decision made by the Minister, or a delegate of the Minister, under this Act, the decision shall not be altered or set aside unless it is unreasonable. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 37. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 37 - 01/01/2026

• 35.4Service

  35.4 (1) An order under section 14, 35.1 or 35.2 is sufficiently sent to or served on a person if it is delivered, (a) personally; (b) by registered mail; (c) by email; (d) by any means that allows for proof of receipt; or (e) by any other prescribed means. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 38. Service by registered mail (2) If service is made by registered mail, the service is deemed to be made on the fifth day after the day of mailing. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 38. Service by email (3) If service is made by email, the service is deemed to be made on the day after it is sent unless that day is a Saturday or a holiday in which case the notice or order is deemed to be received on the next day that is not a Saturday or a holiday. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 38. Exception (4) If a person on whom service is being made by registered mail or email establishes that they did not, acting in good faith, thr…

• [s62]

  Regulations

• 36Regulations — Lieutenant Governor in Council

  36 (1) The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations, (a) prescribing and governing anything in this Act that is described as being prescribed, done in accordance with the regulations, provided for in the regulations or authorized or required by the regulations, other than a matter that this Act describes as being prescribed by the Minister; (b) declaring parts of Ontario to be fire regions and declaring the name that each fire region shall bear; (c) regulating or prohibiting outdoor fires; (d) regulating or prohibiting operations specified by the regulations; (e) prescribing and governing the circumstances in which a fire permit is not needed; (f) governing the issuance, form, refusal and cancellation of permits or classes of permits under this Act and prescribing and governing terms and conditions of such permits or classes of permits; (g) providing for and governing appeals …

• 37Transition regulations

  37 The Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations governing such transitional matters as the Lieutenant Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable with respect to the enactment of Schedule 1 to the Resource Management and Safety Act, 2025. 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 40. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1998, c. 18, Sched. I, s. 19 - 18/12/1998; 1999, c. 12, Sched. N, s. 3. (10) - 22/12/1999 2006, c. 21, Sched. F, s. 136 (1) - 25/07/2007 2025, c. 17, Sched. 1, s. 40 - 01/01/2026 ______________

• [s69]
• [s72]
• [s75]
• 36 #77Regulations — Lieutenant Governor in Council
• 37 #79Transition regulations