Skip to main content Skip to footer

Algonquin Highlands

Fire Services

Algonquin Highlands Fire Services is dedicated to protecting life, property and the environment through education, prevention and emergency response. AHFS operates three stations; Station 60 in Dorset, Station 70 in Oxtongue Lake, and Station 80 on North Shore Road in the former Township of Stanhope. 

AH no longer issues daytime burn permits

On March 7, 2024, the Council for the Township of Algonquin Highlands adopted a new Open Air Burning By-Law. The new by-law was jointly created by the fire chiefs of each of Haliburton County's lower-tier municipalities and is being implemented on a County-wide scale to create consistent regulations and strengthen public safety. 

A major change is that the Township will no longer issue permits for daytime burning. Contractors are encouraged to contact Algonquin Highlands Fire Services to make arrangements in this regard. The new by-law's general provisions can be found below. 

PART 2 – GENERAL PROVISIONS

2.1  No person shall set, maintain, or cause to be set or maintained, Open Air Fire except as authorized by this By-law.

2.2  No person shall set, maintain, or cause to be set or maintained, Open Air Fire on any roadway, highway, park, easement, beach, or other public property owned or operated by the Township of Algonquin Highlands without prior permission from the Municipality.

2.3  No person shall set, maintain, or cause to be set or maintained, Open Air Fire between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and between the dates of April 1st to October 31st.

2.4 Every person setting, permitting to be set, maintaining, or permitting to be maintained, an Open-Air Fire shall comply with the following conditions:

  1. a responsible person is available and in attendance at all times until the fire is completely extinguished,
  2. the material is burned in a single pile that is less than two (2) meters in diameter and less than two (2) meters high,
  3. only burn wood or by-products of wood,
  4. not burn noxious materials,
  5. fire must be at least three (3) meters from combustible materials, property line, buildings, fences, trees and roadway,
  6. the responsible person has tools and/or extinguishing agent adequate to contain and completely extinguish the fire,
  7. the fire must be completely extinguished before the burn site is vacated.

Any questions concerning the new open air burning by-law can be directed by e-mail to Fire Chief Mike French at mfrench@algonquinhighlands.ca

Volunteer with AHFS

Do you have the fire within? Become a volunteer firefighter. 

Test It Tuesday

Make checking the batteries in your smoke alarms and CO detectors a weekly ritual. 

Volunteering with AHFS

Do you have the fire within?  Algonquin Highlands Fire Services is comprised of some 50 volunteer men and women who are trained to NFPA standards to serve our community. Firefighters are on-call and may be needed on a moment's notice. Firefighters receive monetary compensation for the services they provide.

If you would like to know more about the Fire Services, call 705-766-0010.

If you'd like to apply to be a volunteer firefighter, print and fill out a Volunteer Firefighter Application Form and deliver it to the Township Office at 1123 North Shore Road.  Your application should be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to the attention of the Fire Chief. Alternatively, you may scan your completed form and email it to the Chief.

All three stations have their own Firefighters’ Associations. These are social organizations that are not formally affiliated with township fire protection services. Association members hold events, raise money and contribute to the well-being of the community. The Township appreciates these groups and their ongoing donations of money and equipment.

Fire Safety Information

  • Only a single pile is burned at any one time.
  • The pile is not more than 2 metres in diameter and less than 2 metres high.
  • The fire is at least 3 metres from any flammable materials.
  • You have adequate tools or water to contain the fire to the fire site.
  • A responsible person tends the fire until it is extinguished.

Grass fires are prohibited.

If you are camping in Algonquin Highlands, please ensure that your campfire complies with the Open Air Burning By-law and is no bigger than 60 cm by 60 cm.  Campfires must be extinguished completely at the end of the night and when leaving the campsite. Campfires established for cooking (using a grill) or for warmth do not require permits and the daytime restrictions do not apply.

If conditions become extreme, the MNR or the Township retains the authority to declare a Fire Ban on all fires including those for cooking and warmth.

Alarms are required for smoke and carbon monoxide on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, plus smoke alarms are required in every sleeping area.  

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is known as ‘The Silent Killer’ because you can’t see it, taste it or smell it. The only way to detect the presence of the deadly gas is to install a carbon monoxide alarm.

On October 15, 2014, the Ontario Government formally enacted a new law - The Hawkins-Gignac Act - making carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all Ontario homes at risk of CO. This revision to the Ontario Fire Code supersedes any existing municipal by-laws.  

Sign up for News and Notices!

Keep up to date with everything happening in Algonquin Highlands by receiving regular updates to your inbox!

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.