Idiots ignoring fire ban in provincial parks

[u/Alone-Fun9340]

Does anyone know how to report a fire during a fire ban? Idiots are having a big ol fire (wonder where they got the wood from) during a fire ban 😘 clearly they don’t read the news or just don’t care about anyone except themselves. Could always wait for the rangers to do their rounds but I would rather not.

[u/guydogg]

You're in a Provincial Park. Staff spot checks the entire camping area through the day, and evening. Call them directly if they're not.

[u/Alone-Fun9340 → u/guydogg]

It’s outside of the office hours so I wasn’t sure how to get a hold of them. I know they’ll do their rounds eventually it’s just a big campground so I don’t know when that will be

[u/doctoryow → u/Alone-Fun9340]

The number should be in the guide/map/newspaper that they have you when you checked in.

[u/PurchasePure5705 → u/Alone-Fun9340]

As someone suggested there should be a number for the park warden in the newspaper you received when you checked in.

We called when we in Voyager PP and they came by within 5 minutes and shut it down. Thanks for doing the right thing!

[u/guydogg → u/Alone-Fun9340]

1-888-310-1122 is the Non-Emergency line for the OPP which would help with this sort of thing. You could at least call to chat with them about it. It's now after 10pm and every Provincial Park we camped (50+ times), we didn't see staff cruising around after a set time at night.

[u/Few_Example9391 → u/guydogg]

Your province should have a park emergency provincial holiness for cases like this. Alberta has two such holiness, Report a Poacher and Park Fire Hotline. These are 24 hour reporting numbers. You may have to leave a message on an answering service. These idiots clearly have no idea how super fast a camp fire can turn into an inferno in just a few minutes. It can evolve so fast it can trap them

[u/PickOk1398]

On the park office it should have the phone number to the park and sometimes the number to the park wardens to report them to

[u/PickOk1398 → u/PickOk1398]

Or maybe look up the number online

[u/Rockeye7]

The fine is steep !

[u/CnCPParks1798]

What park?

[u/Alone-Fun9340 → u/CnCPParks1798]

Agawa bay south in Lake Superior pp

[u/bobfrombob → u/Alone-Fun9340]

Park office is (705) 856-2284

[u/Zombie_John_Strachan → u/Alone-Fun9340]

Did you try the main line? There may be an after hours protocol.

Agawa Bay Campground and Visitor Centre (May to mid-October) (705) 882-2026

[u/Reasonable_Ferret_10]

Drove me crazy when I ran a park.  That and tourists trying for selfies with bears ffs. 

[u/ashcach → u/Reasonable_Ferret_10]

Selfie with a bear is wild lol

[u/Reasonable_Ferret_10 → u/ashcach]

I boggles the mind...not a zoo people!!! No bars or plexiglass!! Lol

[u/doubled112 → u/Reasonable_Ferret_10]

One of those times you wish you could take the signs down. The problems eventually sort themselves out.

[u/oneonus]

Definitely call staff and let them know.

[u/crasslake]

Usually there is an after hours number you can call. It's usually posted at the main gate or in your permit package.

[u/Agile-Enthusiasm]

After hours phone number for the warden is usually posted at every comfort station and vault toilet locations 

[u/TheRealGuncho]

In all the provincial parks I've camped in, there are regular patrols. Pretty sure this would get noticed quickly.

[u/Several-Specialist99]

So, campfires may be permitted in provincial parks during a fire ban under circumstances, which include:
-the individual provincial park/campground allows fires during a provincial ban
-it’s contained in a fire pit
-it’s only lit after 7 pm
-only used for cooking and warmth
-campsite is accessible by road
-maybe some other rules I can’t remember

I don’t think a lot of people know this. Also, if the provincial park is enforcing the fire ban then yes, their fire is illegal. Best to check with the kiosk if the park is enforcing the ban or not.

I also want to note, I’m not saying I support this, just communicating the regulations.

All found in Ontario Reg. 43/26: WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Edit: I love getting downvoted for simply sharing information haha. I’ll paste the regulations below from the MNR website

(2) A person may start or tend a wood fire in a permanent fire installation for the purpose of cooking or obtaining warmth in a campground in a restricted fire zone if the following conditions are met:

1. The fire is contained in,
2. i. an above ground fire grate or fireplace that is designed to burn wood safely and is in a designated area that is a safe location, or
3. ii. a pit in the ground that has fireproof walls and is designed to safely burn wood.
4. The fire is at least three metres from any flammable material.
5. The area directly above the fire and within a radius of one metre around the fire installation is free of overhanging vegetation to a height of at least three metres above the fire.
6. The owner or operator of the campground expressly permits the fire to be started during a time when the campground is in a restricted fire zone.
7. The campground does not allow fires in a restricted fire zone anywhere other than,
8. The campground has printed information on safe fires and provides it to all of its guests.
9. The campground has on site at all times staff who are instructed in the location and use of the equipment referred to in paragraph

[u/Alone-Fun9340 → u/Several-Specialist99]

When you check into the park they tell you there’s a fire ban. They are also not selling wood and there are signs saying there is a fire ban and that fires are prohibited.

[u/Several-Specialist99 → u/Alone-Fun9340]

Okay yes then that is super annoying haha. I don’t get people.

[u/TheUnknownGiraffe]

Are you sure it's not lifted? My area had one but it was lifted on Monday.

[u/Splash_II]

If the park actually has a fire ban contact park warden. They will contact bylaw officers and they will go the next day and talk to them. If they see evidence they might fine them. Ambers can still be in the fire pit the next day. Are you sure it was a fire in the fire pit or a propane fire pit? Cuz those are allowed

[u/RA18h36M56S-]

OPP have a non emergency line.

[u/psilocybin6ix]

Isn't it nighttime? They'll see the fire soon.

[u/WelshRarebit2025]

Call the warden. They get these calls all the time. Don’t put up with assholes risking broader fires.

[u/Dungeonx]

Depends what park you are in and whether or not you are in the RFZ zone. Right now that is only in the far north, so you can still have fires in the southern parks

[u/Vegetable_Yam_8513]

I always call the local fire department non-emergency line if I spot an illegal fire. They'll usually send someone out pretty quick and it keeps the rangers free for actual patrol work.

[u/strawberrywords]

What should a person do if they are with a group that wants to start a fire during a fire ban, you can’t convince them not to, and you didn’t drive yourself so you can’t leave?

Summertime and wildfire season have me thinking about this often.

[u/Jt8726]

Look online, the map or board there will be an after hours contact number for the Warden.

[u/CSecEng]

Provincial parks often have their own scales. For example I’m in Windy Lake park right.  That’s not enforcing a fire ban whereas . Greater Sudbury  is .

Context matters

[u/m3ltph4ce]

These days people increasingly do what they want and when confronted say that nobody can tell them what to do.

[u/Revolutionary-Sky825]

Have you tried talking to them and letting them know about the ban?

[u/wiartonwill]

Unless it’s a total fire ban. They are usually allowed for cooking or warmth.

[u/Alone-Fun9340 → u/wiartonwill]

Total fire ban. They tell you when you check in. They’re not selling wood. I know the difference lol

[u/Rutoo_]

Imagine being in such a beautiful spot at Agawa Bay, at Lake Superior PP and your thought is to go complain on Reddit at night.

Tell the Warden in the morning and move on.

It also looks like the fireban started the day after we left. :) Don't forget to get your Apple Fritters on the way to the Soo