If you live in Hastings Highlands, the fire ban has been lifted, but if you live in Madawaska Valley Township the fire ban is still in place.
Nighttime burning is once again allowed for residents. During nighttime burning, residents can have fires between 7:00pm and 7:00am.
However, that’s not the case in Madawaska Valley. Despite the neighbouring municipality lifting its ban, Madawaska Valley is under both a total burn ban and a provincial burn restriction under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Under an MNRF fire restriction, rules regarding burning would still be in effect even if the township lifts the municipally-issued fire fan. Hastings Highlands is not included in the MNRF’s fire restriction area.
While a burn ban and fire restriction are in effect, no open fires are permitted as well as no barbeques that use wood or charcoal to burn. Madawaska Valley Fire Chief Corwin Quade says despite recent rainfall, the ground is still too dry for it to be considered safe to have a fire.
Madawaska Valley has been under a total burn ban since July 6th.