Region-wide Fire Ban in Effect

A total fire ban has been issued in each of York Region’s nine local cities and towns by local Fire Chiefs. This Region-wide ban is necessary given the current forest fires in Ontario and Quebec, as the hot and dry conditions can cause fire to spread fast and further deteriorate air-quality.

Burning of any kind is not permitted while the fire ban is active. This ban has been issued for the protection of property, public safety and the safety of the firefighters that would have to respond to an incident.

Call 9-1-1 if you see any potential fire hazards or signs of fire.

For further information on fire bans in your community and other fire safety information, residents are encouraged to contact their municipal fire service as listed below.

Air Quality

Due to smoke from forest fires, York Region remains under a Special Air Quality Statement, and moderate to high-risk Air Quality Health Index values are expected to persist into Friday, June 9, 2023, and may continue throughout the weekend. The Air Quality Health Index updates the air quality forecast twice a day and can provide the current risk in your community. 

Wildfire smoke, even at low concentrations, can be harmful to everyone’s health, particularly children, seniors and those with heart or lung disease. To protect your health from wildfire smoke, consider:

• Limiting or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities if experiencing symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation until the special air quality statement is lifted
• Drinking plenty of cool liquids, especially water, decreases your risk of dehydration and helps your body cope with the smoke
• Protect the air in your home clean by keeping doors and windows closed if the temperature in your home is comfortable
• If you have an HVAC system in your home, consider installing high quality air filters and setting the fan to recirculate the air
• If you must spend time outdoors, consider wearing a well fitted mask like a N95 that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and your face

Wildfire exposure symptoms can range from milder symptoms like headaches, nose and throat irritation to more serious symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing, severe cough, dizziness or chest pain. If you have any serious symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider or seek urgent medical attention. For any health-related concerns about smoke, please call Ontario Health at 811 or 1-866-797-0007.

Residents are encouraged to check in on people in your care and those around you who may be more at risk of negative effects from outdoor air pollution. 

Visit airhealth.ca for more information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecasted air quality levels.

York Regional Forest

Periods of hot temperatures, drought and dry conditions can increase the risk of wildfires, especially in the York Regional Forest.   

Lighting fires and smoking of any kind in the York Regional Forest is not permitted. 

The Region respects and adheres to all fire bans issued by our local fire departments. No controlled burns are planned for this time.

Call 9-1-1 if you see any potential fire hazards or signs of fire in the York Regional Forest. 

If there was a fire in a York Regional Forest tract, local fire departments would be the first to respond. Residential, commercial and industrial properties next to Forest tracts would receive highest priority for protection and fire suppression. 

York Region has been working with the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to improve forest fire preparedness in the York Regional Forest. The Region has an extensive supply of equipment, including hoses and water pumps on loan to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville with the expectation they would be shared with other municipalities if needed.

The York Regional Forest is over 2,500 hectares and is made up of 24 Forest Tracts (22 of which are publicly accessible) located in different parts of the Region.