August 12,2025
RED FM News Desk
Vaughan and Burlington have issued fire bans as hot, dry weather continues across the Greater Toronto Area. They join Ajax, Aurora, Newmarket, Oakville, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes in prohibiting open-air burning.
The bans are in response to limited rainfall, persistent heat, and smoke from ongoing wildfires. The GTA has not recorded more than 10 millimetres of rain since July 20 and has endured two multi-day heat events since then. While a cooler air mass is expected to move in Tuesday evening, hot and humid conditions could last through Wednesday. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority forecasts a chance of thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday, which could bring some relief.
Under the bans, outdoor wood-burning appliances;such as fire pits, bonfires, chimineas, and campfires, are prohibited until further notice. Vaughan has cancelled all existing fire permits, while Burlington has warned that violators may face fines or be invoiced for costs. Propane or natural gas-fuelled fire tables, and small cooking fires on grills or barbeques, remain permitted.
The restrictions coincide with efforts to control two active forest fires in Kawartha Lakes; one in the Burnt River area (27 hectares) and another near Kirkfield (33.5 hectares). No evacuations have been ordered, but residents are urged to avoid the affected zones. With fire crews fully committed to these blazes, Kawartha Lakes officials have pledged zero tolerance for illegal burning.
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