# J35 Wildland and Interface Fire > Fire Service Safety Management System, version 0.3.3 (2026-10-25). The Human Factor. Document FSSMS-JUR-35. > > Canonical: https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire > > Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 with the Adopting Agency Grant (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) > > General information only, not legal, medical or other professional advice. Verify every requirement against the current official text of the law, standards and manufacturer instructions that apply to you. Obtain your own legal review and consult your joint health and safety committee before adopting anything. You adopt, adapt, implement and rely on this material entirely at your own risk and on your own responsibility. Full terms: Terms of Use, thehumanfactor.ca. > **Warning: Law changes; verify before you rely on this page** > > This page summarizes what each jurisdiction’s law requires on this topic as of 2026-10-23. It is general information, not legal advice. Check the official text for your jurisdiction before you adopt or rely on anything here. See [00a Copyright, Licence and Legal Notices](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/copyright-licence-and-legal-notices). ## What this topic covers This page covers the provincial or territorial wildfire statute and the agency that leads wildfire suppression, where its responsibility ends and the municipality’s begins, the fire or burning season, burn permits and restrictions, the wildland qualification the agency expects of municipal firefighters, the airspace rule that governs aircraft and drones near forest fires, and how occupational health and safety and compensation law treat wildland work. Every province has a wildfire statute and a season; the qualification rules for municipal crews are mostly agency policy, not law. ## Why it matters to a fire department Interface fires put structural crews under another agency’s command, airspace and training rules, often far from home and for days at a time. The common misunderstandings are that the provincial agency is responsible for every grass or brush fire (in most provinces the municipality is responsible for fires within its boundaries outside the provincial forest or wildfire management area, and pays for them), that a department may keep fighting a fire inside the agency’s area without telling it (Saskatchewan requires immediate notice and approval), and that structural gear and habits are safe on a fireline. Departments also forget that their own live-fire training and debris burning need the same permits as anyone else’s, and that the fire-service parts of several OHS regulations do not apply to forest firefighting, which changes the rules a crew works under. A department’s interface plan needs a written answer to who leads structure protection and sprinkler deployment, a lesson that recent provincial after-action reviews have repeated [(Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, 2024)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-nova-scotia-department-of-natural-resources-and-renewables-2024). ## What every department must cover, wherever it is 1. Know which agency leads wildfire suppression where, and the boundary between the provincial area and your municipality’s responsibility; keep the map with your response plans (see your jurisdiction below). 2. Have a written agreement or operating plan with the provincial agency that settles initial attack, who leads structure protection and sprinkler deployment, unified command, notice and approval duties, cost recovery and the terms of out-of-area deployments (see below). 3. Know the fire or burning season and the permit rules, and apply them to the department’s own live-fire training, prescribed burns and debris disposal; stop when the agency or the municipality restricts burning (see the At a glance table). 4. Train every member who works on a fireline to the agency’s entry standard (in British Columbia, the structure protection course with an annual refresher; elsewhere S-100 or the agency’s equivalent), in entrapment avoidance and LACES, and in ICS at least to the 100 level; NFPA 1140 sets the wildland professional qualifications where a department wants a standard [(NFPA 1140, 2022)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-nfpa-1140) (see below). 5. Issue wildland personal protective equipment for wildland assignments (NFPA 1950 or CAN/CGSB-155.22), not structural ensembles for extended work, and manage heat stress, hydration and fitness [(NFPA 1950, 2025)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-nfpa-1950) (see [J13 Firefighter PPE and Protective Equipment](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j13-firefighter-ppe-and-protective-equipment) and [J22 Exposure Limits, Heat and Cold Stress](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j22-exposure-limits-heat-and-cold-stress)). 6. Know which OHS rules apply on the fireline: the fire-service parts of the British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon regulations exclude forest or provincially managed wildfires, so the general parts apply to municipal crews there; several jurisdictions allow riding on apparatus at 20 km/h or less at grass and crop fires under conditions (see below and [J12 Fire Service OHS Rules and Fireground Operations](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j12-fire-service-ohs-rules-and-fireground-operations)). 7. Keep department aircraft, including drones, out of the airspace over or within five nautical miles of a forest fire below 3,000 ft unless the fire control authority has asked for or authorized the flight [(Canadian Aviation Regulations \[CA\], 2026, ss. 601.15-601.17)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-canadian-aviation-regulations-ca) (see Federal). 8. Record wildland and structural fire exposures separately for every member; several cancer presumptions exclude forest-fire exposure (see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions)). 9. Plan deployments for crew welfare: rest and rotation, meals, showers and laundry, mental health support, and deployments of roughly 5 to 14 days, and review every deployment for learning [(Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, 2024)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-nova-scotia-department-of-natural-resources-and-renewables-2024). ## At a glance | Jurisdiction | Wildfire statute | Lead agency for wildfires | Season | Permit rule | Wildland qualification for municipal crews | Verified | |:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---| | British Columbia | Wildfire Act and regulation | BC Wildfire Service | Year round, with bans by order | Burn registration number for Category 3 and 4 open fires | Structure protection course (16 h) and annual refresher for deployment | Partly | | Alberta | Forest and Prairie Protection Act | Province in the forest protection area; rural municipality elsewhere | 1 March to 31 October | Fire permit in a permit area during the season | None in law | Partly | | Saskatchewan | The Wildfire Act | Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency | Prescribed by regulation | Burn notification number in or within 4.5 km of a provincial forest, or in park land | None found | Partly | | Manitoba | The Wildfires Act | Province; municipality within its boundaries | 1 April to 15 November | Burning permit in a burning permit area | None found | Partly | | Ontario | Wildland Fire Management Act; O. Reg. 43/26 | Ministry of Natural Resources; municipality within its limits in the fire region | 1 April to 31 October | Permit unless the small-pile, night-time or grass rules are met, or a municipal permit applies | None in the certification regulation | Yes | | Quebec | Fire Safety Act, Chapter VI.1; Sustainable Forest Development Act | Designated forest fire protection organization | 1 April to 15 November (permits) | Fire permit in or near a forest | Not researched | Partly | | New Brunswick | Forest Fires Act; Regulation 84-204 | Provincial natural resources department | Third Monday of April to 31 October | Written permit for Categories 2 to 4; daily status for Category 1 | None found | Partly | | Nova Scotia | Forests Act | Provincial natural resources department | 15 March to 15 October | Daily burn map; paper permit for industrial burning | Basic forest fire suppression course | Partly | | Prince Edward Island | Forest Management Act | Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division | To 15 November in 2026 | Permit for Categories 2 to 4 | None found | Partly | | Newfoundland and Labrador | Forestry Act; Forest Fire Regulations | Provincial wildfire management | Island 1 May, Labrador 15 May, to 30 September (2026 order) | Free burn permit in season | None found | Partly | | Yukon | Not confirmed | Yukon Wildland Fire Management | 1 April to 30 September | Permission from the local wildland fire office | Not verified | Partly | | Northwest Territories | Forest Protection Act | Territorial wildfire program | Closed season 1 May to 30 September | Permit to burn for land clearing within 1 km of a forest area | None found | Partly | | Nunavut | Forest Protection Act listed (not read) | None found | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | None | No | | Federal | Canadian Aviation Regulations (airspace) | Federal land managers on federal lands | Not applicable | Not applicable | Interagency standards by agreement | Partly | ## British Columbia **Law.** Open burning and wildfire response follow the Wildfire Act and its regulation, the Environmental Management Act and the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation, as the province’s open burning pages describe them (BC Wildfire Service, n.d.-b). Occupational health and safety: Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, ss. 31.2, 31.13(3) and 26.3.1 [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation \[BC\], 2026, ss. 26.3.1, 31.2, 31.13)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulation-bc). **What must be covered.** - **Agency.** The BC Wildfire Service leads wildfire response and issues burn registration numbers and fire bans (BC Wildfire Service, n.d.-b). - **Open fires.** Category 2 open fires (one or two piles no larger than 2 m by 3 m, or grass or stubble under 0.2 ha) need no registration number; Category 3 fires (three or more piles, larger piles, windrows, or grass over 0.2 ha) and Category 4 resource management fires need a burn registration number, obtained by phone or email; local government and First Nations rules may add restrictions (BC Wildfire Service, n.d.-a, n.d.-b). - **Penalties.** The province lists a violation ticket of \$1,150, an administrative penalty of up to \$10,000, and on conviction a fine of up to \$100,000, up to one year in jail, or both (BC Wildfire Service, n.d.-b). - **Structure protection qualification.** Fire departments deployed for structure protection complete the province’s structure protection course (WSPP-WFF1), a 16-hour course delivered at a hosting department that replaces S-100 and S-185 for structural firefighters, with an annual refresher required to keep the certification; completing the required courses under the inter-agency agreement certifies members for deployment (BC Wildfire Service, n.d.-c). - **Forestry workers.** Workers in a forestry operation who fight forest fires are trained annually to a standard acceptable to WorkSafeBC, physically capable, with records kept (s. 26.3.1); the province’s S-100 standard folds entrapment avoidance and annual recurrency into one course [(BC Wildfire Service, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-s-100-2026-training-standard). **Fire-service nuance.** - Part 31 “does not apply to forest fire fighting” (s. 31.2). A municipal crew fighting a forest fire works under the general parts of the regulation; at structure protection in the interface, Part 31 still applies. - At vegetation fires, the incident commander may allow general-duty headgear instead of the structural helmet (s. 31.13(3)). **Status.** Partly verified: OHS sections read on 2026-10-23 (current to 2026-10-20); open burning and training rules read on the province’s official pages; the Wildfire Act and regulation were not read. ## Alberta **Law.** Forest and Prairie Protection Act, ss. 4, 7, 7.1, 13 and 17 to 20 [(Forest and Prairie Protection Act \[AB\], 2000, ss. 4, 7, 7.1, 13, 17-20)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-forest-and-prairie-protection-act-ab); Occupational Health and Safety Code, ss. 233(5) and 237 [(Occupational Health and Safety Code \[AB\], 2025, ss. 233, 237)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-code-ab); Workers’ Compensation Act, s. 24.1(3) [(Workers’ Compensation Act \[AB\], 2000, s. 24.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-workers-compensation-act-ab). **What must be covered.** - **Responsibility.** “The council of a rural municipality is responsible for fighting and controlling all fires within the boundaries of the rural municipality except that part of the rural municipality that is within a forest protection area”, and pays the costs, with a right of recovery (s. 7(1)); a municipality reports fire and fire-control information to the Minister on request (s. 7.1). - **Season.** “The period from March 1 to October 31 in each year is the fire season”, which the Minister may extend or shorten for any area (s. 17). - **Permits.** No outdoor fire in a permit area during the fire season without a fire permit (s. 18(1)), with exceptions for attended cooking and warming fires (s. 18(4)); permits are issued by forest officers or fire guardians, and a rural municipality’s fire guardians may issue them outside the forest protection area (s. 19); permits may be suspended or cancelled at any time (s. 20). - **Fire guardians.** Appointed by the Minister or the municipality, with powers to require assistance and commandeer equipment (ss. 4, 13). - **Wildland PPE.** Firefighters may wear footwear and headwear certified to NFPA 1977 (2005) for wildland firefighting (ss. 233(5), 237). **Fire-service nuance.** - Urban municipalities are outside s. 7; their bylaws govern fire response and open burning within their boundaries. - The firefighter cancer presumption excludes exposure at forest-fire scenes (s. 24.1(3)); see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions). - The province’s wildland interface structure protection guidelines and the wildland agency’s qualification standards for municipal crews were not read. **Status.** Partly verified: the Act (current to 2024-05-30) and Code sections read on 2026-10-23. Agency qualification standards were not read. ## Saskatchewan **Law.** The Wildfire Act, ss. 2, 3, 9 to 12 and 17 [(The Wildfire Act \[SK\], 2014, ss. 2-3, 9-12, 17)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-the-wildfire-act-sk); The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, ss. 32-2, 32-9 and 32-10 [(The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 \[SK\], 2021, ss. 32-2, 32-9, 32-10)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-the-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-2020-sk); The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, s. 28 [(The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013 \[SK\], 2013, s. 28)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-2013-sk). **What must be covered.** - **Scope.** The Act applies in every rural municipality, park land and provincial forest, but not within cities, towns, villages, hamlets, northern villages and similar communities (s. 3(1)-(2)); the minister may act on a wildfire anywhere (s. 3(3)). - **Agency.** The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) carries out the Act through its agency officers (ss. 2, 8). - **Responsibility.** The minister is responsible for wildfire management in the wildfire management area: provincial forest, park land, vacant Crown land and every quarter section within 4.5 km of a provincial forest (ss. 2, 10). A rural municipality is responsible for controlling and extinguishing fires that start or burn in it, including on private land, occupied Crown land, municipal reserves, roads, structures, vehicles and landfills, and pays the costs, except a wildfire that starts in the part of the wildfire management area within the municipality (s. 11). - **Notice and approval.** “If a municipality undertakes actions to control and extinguish a wildfire within a wildfire management area, the municipality shall immediately notify an agency officer and shall obtain approval from SPSA to continue those actions” (s. 12(3)); without the notice, the province need not reimburse the municipality (s. 12(4)). The minister may take over a fire if municipal action is inadequate, if it threatens the wildfire management area, or on request, and the municipality may be liable for the costs (s. 12(1), (5)). - **Liability.** Municipalities, their employees and helpers are not liable for damages from a wildfire or for acts taken with reasonable care to control it (s. 9(2)). - **Burning.** No fire during the wildfire season in a provincial forest, within 4.5 km of one, or in park land without a burn notification number (s. 17(1)); the season is prescribed by regulation (s. 2). **Fire-service nuance.** - Part 32 of the OHS regulations does not apply to wildfires the minister is responsible for or acts on under ss. 10 and 12 (s. 32-2(a)); at those fires the general parts apply. - Firefighters may ride outside seats at prairie, grassland or crop fires only with a restraint, communication with the operator and a speed of no more than 20 km/h (s. 32-9(3)); fireline workwear to CAN/CGSB-155.22 is approved under s. 32-10 (Government of Saskatchewan, n.d.-a). - The 2025 amendments extended the presumptions to wildland firefighters, in force 2025-08-01 according to the board, but the change does not show in the consolidated s. 28; see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions). - No wildland qualification standard for municipal crews was found. **Status.** Partly verified: the Act (consolidated to SS 2024, c 4) and OHS sections read on 2026-10-23. The prescribed season and SPSA training standards were not read. ## Manitoba **Law.** The Wildfires Act, ss. 1, 13 to 16 and 18 to 21 [(The Wildfires Act \[MB\], 2024, ss. 1, 13-16, 18-21)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-the-wildfires-act-mb); Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, s. 42.5 [(Workplace Safety and Health Regulation \[MB\], 2026, s. 42.5)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-workplace-safety-and-health-regulation-mb). **What must be covered.** - **Season.** “Wildfire season” means “the period in each year commencing on April 1 and ending on November 15”, or another period the minister designates (s. 1). - **Responsibility.** “A municipality is responsible for wildfire protection operations within its boundaries”, subject to agreements and the minister’s powers (s. 13(1)), and “shall obey all orders of an officer regarding wildfire protection operations” (s. 13(2)); a municipality may appoint and pay fire guardians (s. 14); the Crown need not reimburse a municipality but may do so for fires that start on unoccupied Crown land (s. 16). - **Permits.** No outdoor fire in a burning permit area during the wildfire season except under a burning permit (s. 19(1)); permit areas are designated by regulation (s. 19(2)); officers issue, condition, suspend or cancel permits (s. 19(3)). The permit Part does not apply in cities, towns, villages or national parks, except non-urban areas of extended towns (s. 18). - **Aircraft.** The Act has travel permits and restrictions around water bombing operations (ss. 20-21). **Fire-service nuance.** - Firefighters may ride outside seats when fighting prairie, grassland, forest or crop fires from a moving vehicle only with a restraint, communication with the operator and a speed of no more than 20 km/h (s. 42.5). - Wildfire firefighters are covered by the cancer and heart presumptions [(The Workers Compensation Act \[MB\], 2026, s. 4(5.1)-(5.6))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-the-workers-compensation-act-mb); see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions). - No statutory wildland qualification for municipal crews was found; the provincial agency’s training expectations were not checked. **Status.** Partly verified: the Act (version in effect since 2024-04-01) and regulation read on 2026-10-23. Agency standards were not read. ## Ontario **Law.** Wildland Fire Management Act, ss. 10 to 12, 19, 21, 23 and 27 [(Wildland Fire Management Act \[ON\], 1990, ss. 10-12, 19, 21, 23, 27)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-wildland-fire-management-act-on); O. Reg. 43/26, Wildland Fire Management, in force 2026-04-01, which replaced O. Reg. 207/96 [(Wildland Fire Management \[ON\], 2026, ss. 1, 5-10)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-wildland-fire-management-on). Guidance: Section 21 guidance notes 4-7, 6-8 and 6-41 (MLITSD, n.d.). **What must be covered.** - **Season.** “The period from the 1st day of April to the 31st day of October in each year shall be a fire season” (s. 10(1)); the Minister may declare additional fire seasons between January and March or November and December (s. 10(2)). - **Restricted fire zones and emergency areas.** The Minister may declare restricted fire zones (s. 11.1) and wildland fire emergency areas (s. 23). - **Burning outside a restricted fire zone.** Without a permit, piled wood, brush, leaves or wood by-products may be burned in a single pile under 2 m in diameter and 2 m high, started no earlier than two hours before sunset and out no later than two hours after sunrise, at least 2 m from flammable material, tended, with tools or water [(Wildland Fire Management \[ON\], 2026, s. 6)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-wildland-fire-management-on); incinerators and grass or leaf burning of up to one hectare follow similar rules (ss. 7-8). Otherwise a fire permit from a wildland fire compliance officer is needed (s. 9). - **Municipal permits.** A person with a municipal open-air burning permit is exempt from the provincial permit if the burning follows the municipal permit and is outside a restricted fire zone or implementation order area [(Wildland Fire Management \[ON\], 2026, s. 9(6))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-wildland-fire-management-on). - **Municipal duty.** Subject to agreements, “every municipality in a fire region shall at its expense extinguish wildland fires within its limits”; if a wildland fire compliance officer finds the municipal action inadequate, the officer may act and recover the cost from the municipality (s. 21(1)); fires proved to start on Crown land are at the ministry’s cost (s. 21(2)). The Minister may make wildland fire management agreements (s. 19). - **Debris.** No flammable debris may accumulate within 800 m of a municipality (s. 27). **Fire-service nuance.** - The Act was renamed and modernized by S.O. 2025, c. 17, Schedule 1 (formerly the Forest Fires Prevention Act). - O. Reg. 343/22 has no wildland certification item; wildland qualification for municipal crews rests on agreements and the ministry’s training. - Guidance notes cover wildland PPE (4-7), lightning (6-8) and helicopter safety (6-41) (MLITSD, n.d.). **Status.** Verified against the official text on 2026-10-23 (Act consolidated from 2026-04-01 and O. Reg. 43/26 as filed, read in e-Laws). Ministry training standards for municipal crews were not read. ## Quebec **Law.** Fire Safety Act, Chapter VI.1 (forest fire protection organization, ss. 150.1 to 150.10, added in 2024) [(Fire Safety Act \[QC\], 2026, ss. 150.1-150.10)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-fire-safety-act-qc); Sustainable Forest Development Act, s. 190 [(Sustainable Forest Development Act \[QC\], 2026, s. 190)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-sustainable-forest-development-act-qc). **What must be covered.** - **Agency.** The Minister may designate a forest fire protection organization for a territory, responsible for protecting communities, strategic infrastructure and forest environments from forest fires (s. 150.1); the designated organization is SOPFEU. - **Intensive protection zone.** The organization’s framework plan defines the intensive protection zone and the people, equipment and means it will use (s. 150.3); the Minister pays the cost of fighting forest fires and fires threatening a forest in that zone (s. 150.4); agreements may cover protection outside it (s. 150.5). - **Other fires.** Anyone who calls on the organization to fight a fire other than a forest fire or a fire threatening a forest pays the full cost (s. 150.6). - **Bans and powers.** The Minister may restrict access and travel in a forest and prohibit fires in a territory (s. 150.9); the organization’s representatives may enter premises, recruit persons and requisition equipment, with fair compensation (s. 150.10). - **Permits.** “From 1 April to 15 November, a fire permit is required to make a fire in or near a forest”, issued by the designated organization with any precautionary measures it sets [(Sustainable Forest Development Act \[QC\], 2026, s. 190)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-sustainable-forest-development-act-qc). **Fire-service nuance.** - Fires other than forest fires remain the municipal fire safety service’s responsibility under its fire safety cover plan, and the organization bills anyone who calls it to such a fire (s. 150.6) (see [J34 Fire Services Legislation and Firefighter Certification](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j34-fire-services-legislation-and-firefighter-certification)). - The 2024 move of forest fire protection into the Fire Safety Act repealed the former forest fire divisions of the Sustainable Forest Development Act (ss. 181-189). - The organization’s qualification requirements for municipal firefighters were not researched. **Status.** Partly verified: Chapter VI.1 (consolidated to 2026-08-12) and s. 190 (consolidated to 2026-08-12) read on 2026-10-23. The designation of SOPFEU and qualification standards were not read. ## New Brunswick **Law.** Forest Fires Act and General Regulation 84-204 [(General Regulation 84-204 \[NB\], 2024, ss. 3-3.96)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-general-regulation-84-204-nb); Firefighters’ Compensation Act, s. 5(1)(b)(ii) [(Firefighters’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 2009, s. 5)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-firefighters-compensation-act-nb). **What must be covered.** - **Season.** The burning rules apply only during the fire season (s. 3); the province publishes the season as running from the third Monday of April to 31 October, extendable (Government of New Brunswick, n.d.-a). - **Category 1.** An open fire within 60 m of forest land burning no more than four piles of untreated wood, each no larger than 3 m by 3 m by 2 m: no permit, but none on non-burn days and only from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on restricted burn days (ss. 3.1, 3.8-3.91). - **Categories 2 to 4.** Larger fires within 100 m of forest land, blueberry field burning and land clearing or prescribed burning need a valid burning permit (ss. 3.92-3.94); Category 4 also needs a written burn plan (s. 3.95). - **Daily status.** Burn conditions are published daily at 2 p.m. in the season (Government of New Brunswick, n.d.-a). **Fire-service nuance.** - Cities, towns and some villages have their own burning bylaws, which apply first (Government of New Brunswick, n.d.-a). - The firefighters’ cancer presumption excludes exposure at a forest fire scene [(Firefighters’ Compensation Act \[NB\], 2009, s. 5(1)(b)(ii))](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-firefighters-compensation-act-nb). - No wildland qualification standard for municipal crews was found. **Status.** Partly verified: Regulation 84-204 (current to 2024-01-01) read on 2026-10-23; the Forest Fires Act itself and the agency’s standards were not read. ## Nova Scotia **Law.** Burning restrictions are set under the Forests Act and published daily by the province (Government of Nova Scotia, 2023). **What must be covered.** - **Season.** Provincial burn restrictions run from 15 March to 15 October (Government of Nova Scotia, 2023). - **Daily map.** The burn restriction map is updated each day at 2 p.m.: in a green county burning is allowed after 2 p.m., in yellow after 7 p.m., and in red not at all that day (Government of Nova Scotia, 2023). - **Industrial burning.** Needs a paper permit from the provincial natural resources department (Government of Nova Scotia, 2023). - **Agency and interface.** The provincial natural resources department leads wildfire containment; municipal departments lead structure protection in the interface, with boundary and sprinkler responsibilities agreed locally; department aircraft, including drones, need the agency’s air operations approval in a wildfire traffic area. - **Qualification.** The agency offers a basic forest fire suppression course free to volunteer and career firefighters. **Fire-service nuance.** - Municipal bylaws may be stricter than the provincial restrictions. - The 2023 after-action review recommended ICS-100 for all staff, multi-agency tabletop exercises, aircrew participation in morning briefings, clear plans on who sets up structure protection and sprinklers, and deployments of 5 to 14 days [(Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, 2024)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-nova-scotia-department-of-natural-resources-and-renewables-2024). - Live-fire training needs a burn permit where required and stops under restrictions. **Status.** Partly verified: burning rules read in provincial releases on 2026-10-23; the Forests Act and its regulations, the department’s current name and the course details were not read. ## Prince Edward Island **Law.** Forest Management Act, s. 15(g) [(Forest Management Act \[PE\], 1988, s. 15)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-forest-management-act-pe); Workers Compensation Act, s. 84.1(1)(b) [(Workers Compensation Act \[PE\], 1988, s. 84.1)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-workers-compensation-act-pe). **What must be covered.** - **Agency.** The Minister responsible for forests delivers “forest fire detection, prevention and control programs” (s. 15(g)); the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division has jurisdiction over forest fires [(Government of Prince Edward Island, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-prince-edward-island-2026). - **Permits.** Category 2, 3 and 4 fires need a burning permit; Category 1 domestic brush fires do not, but every burner checks the daily restrictions, updated around 2 p.m. [(Government of Prince Edward Island, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-prince-edward-island-2026). - **Season.** The 2026 fire season runs to 15 November [(Government of Prince Edward Island, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-prince-edward-island-2026). - **Municipal permits.** Some municipalities issue their own permits and may restrict burning by bylaw [(Government of Prince Edward Island, 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-prince-edward-island-2026). **Fire-service nuance.** - Wildland exposure does not count toward the cancer presumption (s. 84.1(1)(b)). - No wildland qualification standard for municipal crews was found. **Status.** Partly verified: the Act (consolidated to 2026-05-29) read by the research pass; permit rules read on the province’s page on 2026-10-23. The regulations behind the permit categories were not read. ## Newfoundland and Labrador **Law.** Forestry Act and Forest Fire Regulations, with the Forest Fire Season Order and offence and penalty regulations [(Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2026a)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-2026a); Fire Protection Services Regulations [(Fire Protection Services Regulations \[NL\], 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-fire-protection-services-regulations-nl); Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022, s. 109(2)(b) (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022 \[NL\], 2022, s. 109). **What must be covered.** - **Season.** For 2026: the Island of Newfoundland from 1 May and Labrador from 15 May, both to 30 September (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2026b). - **Permits.** Burn permits are needed in the season to burn vegetation, wood or paper; they are free; campfires need no permit, but the daily forest fire hazard map should be checked [(Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2026a)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-government-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-2026a). - **Fireworks.** No outdoor fireworks during the forest fire season where the Forest Fire Regulations prohibit them (Fire Protection Services Regulations). **Fire-service nuance.** - Forest-fire scenes are excluded from the cancer presumption’s exposure test (s. 109(2)(b)). - No wildland qualification standard for municipal firefighters was found. **Status.** Partly verified: the provincial season notice and wildfire pages read on 2026-10-23; the Forestry Act and Forest Fire Regulations were not read. ## Yukon **Law.** Open burning is controlled by Yukon Wildland Fire Management (Government of Yukon, n.d.); Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, s. 11.02 and Part 18 [(Workplace Health and Safety Regulations \[YT\], 2022, s. 11.02)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-workplace-health-and-safety-regulations-yt); Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act, s. 94(5) [(Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act \[YT\], 2021, s. 94)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-workers-safety-and-compensation-act-yt). **What must be covered.** - **Permission to burn.** “You are legally required to get permission to light an open fire between April 1 and September 30”, including burn barrels and burning on public and private land but not campfires; since 2024 permission comes from the local wildland fire management office by phone, only in periods of low fire danger, rather than as a paper permit (Government of Yukon, n.d.). - **Municipal rules.** Residents inside the limits of the larger municipalities follow their municipality’s burning rules instead (Government of Yukon, n.d.). **Fire-service nuance.** - Part 11 of the OHS regulations applies to volunteer and career firefighting in municipal service but “does not apply to forest firefighting” (s. 11.02); “wildland fire operations” are a Class A hazard for first aid purposes (Part 18). - Wildland forest firefighters are covered by the cardiac presumption but not the cancer presumption; the government has said it will amend this (not enacted as of 2026-10-23) (s. 94(5)). - The territorial wildland agency’s qualification standards were not verified. **Status.** Partly verified: the territory’s burn permission page read on 2026-10-23; regulation and Act sections read by the research pass. The governing statute was not read. ## Northwest Territories **Law.** Forest Protection Act, ss. 6, 7, 10, 11, 14 and 17 [(Forest Protection Act \[NT\], 1988, ss. 6-7, 10-11, 14, 17)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-forest-protection-act-nt); Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, s. 484(3) [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations \[NT\], 2024, s. 484)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-nt). **What must be covered.** - **Closed season.** “Beginning on May 1 and ending on September 30” each year, which the Commissioner may extend or vary where there is unusual danger of forest fires (s. 10). - **Permits.** During the closed season, no fire for clearing land or removing flammable material within a forest area or within one kilometre of one without a permit; fires in devices that confine them are allowed (s. 11). - **Duty to act.** Anyone who discovers a fire in or within one kilometre of a forest area must take all available steps to extinguish it (s. 6(1)(a)); landowners and operators with an out-of-control fire must use every means to extinguish it and place their services at a forest officer’s disposal (s. 7). - **Forest officers.** May summon the assistance of any person, with exceptions (s. 14); RCMP members and certain wildlife officers are forest officers by office (s. 17(2)). The Act has no exemption for fire departments. **Fire-service nuance.** - Firefighters may ride outside seats at wildland fires only with a restraint, communication with the operator and a speed of no more than 20 km/h (s. 484(3)). - Firefighters who exclusively fight forest fires are excluded from the new presumptions (see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions)). - The territory has consulted on a new Forest Act to replace the Forest Protection Act. **Status.** Partly verified: the Act read on the official-text mirror (consolidation in force since 2023-03-30) on 2026-10-23. Agency standards and the replacement Act were not read. ## Nunavut **Law.** A Forest Protection Act is listed among Nunavut’s laws, with forest officer roles assigned to the Department of Environment; Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, s. 484(3) [(Occupational Health and Safety Regulations \[NU\], 2021, s. 484)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-nu). **What must be covered.** - No territorial wildland fire agency program or burn permit rule was found. Grass and tundra fires near communities fall to community fire departments. **Fire-service nuance.** - The same 20 km/h riding exception as the Northwest Territories applies at wildland fires (s. 484(3)). - Firefighters who fight only forest fires are excluded from the presumptions (see [J32 Workers' Compensation and Firefighter Presumptions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j32-workers-compensation-and-firefighter-presumptions)). **Status.** Not verified: the Nunavut Forest Protection Act was not read. ## Federal **Law.** Canadian Aviation Regulations, ss. 601.15 to 601.17 [(Canadian Aviation Regulations \[CA\], 2026, ss. 601.15-601.17)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-canadian-aviation-regulations-ca); Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for federal wildland crews [(Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations \[CA\], 2026)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-canada-occupational-health-and-safety-regulations-ca). **What must be covered.** - **Airspace.** “No person shall operate an aircraft (a) over a forest fire area, or over any area that is located within five nautical miles of a forest fire area, at an altitude of less than 3,000 feet AGL; or (b) in any airspace that is described in a NOTAM” issued for a forest fire (s. 601.15). A “forest fire area” includes burning grass, other vegetation or buildings (s. 601.15 definitions). - **Exceptions.** The rule does not apply to persons “operating an aircraft at the request of, or with the authorization of, an appropriate fire control authority for the purpose of assisting the fire control authority”, or with the Minister’s written authorization (s. 601.17). - **Federal crews.** Wildland crews of federal land-management agencies work under the Canada Labour Code, Part II and the federal regulations; national interagency standards apply by agreement. **Fire-service nuance.** - The airspace rule applies in every province and territory and reaches department drones: fly near a wildfire only at the request of, or with the authorization of, the agency leading the fire. - The national framework on cancers linked to firefighting supports the development of wildland firefighter health and safety standards [(Health Canada, 2024)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/j35-wildland-and-interface-fire#ref-health-canada-2024). **Status.** Partly verified: CARs ss. 601.15-601.17 read on 2026-10-23 (consolidated to 2026-09-30). Federal land managers’ fire programs were not read. ## Chapters that rely on this topic **Front matter** - [00 Fire Service Safety Management System - Program HQ](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/program-hq) **01 Foundations** - [05 Design Principles and Lessons Learned](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/design-principles-and-lessons-learned) **03 Assessment** - [03 Hazard Profile and Risk Register Method](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/hazard-profile-and-risk-register-method) **05 Programs** - [RPAS Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/rpas-program) - [Training Safety and Live Fire Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/training-safety-and-live-fire-program) - [Wildland and Interface Program](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/wildland-and-interface-program) **06 Safe Work Procedures** - [SWP - Live Fire Training Evolutions](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/swp-live-fire-training-evolutions) - [SWP - RPAS Flight Operations](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/swp-rpas-flight-operations) - [SWP - Wildland Deployment, LCES and Heat](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/swp-wildland-deployment-lces-and-heat) **07 Audit** - [Checklist - RPAS, Marine and ARFF (Conditional Modules)](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-rpas-marine-and-arff-conditional-modules) - [Checklist - Training Safety and Live Fire](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-training-safety-and-live-fire) - [Checklist - Wildland, Heat and Weather](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/checklist-wildland-heat-and-weather) **09 Forms and Templates** - [Form - Training Evolution Risk Assessment and Live Fire Go-No-Go](https://thehumanfactor.ca/library/fire-service-safety/form-training-evolution-risk-assessment-and-live-fire-go-no-go) ## Definitions - **Burn permit (fire permit, burning permit, burn registration number).** Written or recorded permission from the wildfire agency or a municipality to light an open fire, usually during a season and under conditions. - **Fire control authority.** In federal aviation law, an official of a government forestry service or other fire control agency responsible for protecting people and property against fire. - **Fire season.** The period each year, set in law and extendable by the minister, when burning restrictions and permits apply. - **Intensive protection zone.** In Quebec, the territory where the designated organization fights forest fires at the province’s cost. - **LACES.** Lookouts, anchor points, communications, escape routes and safety zones: the tactical safety discipline for wildland work. - **Wildland-urban interface.** The zone where homes and other structures meet or mix with vegetation that can carry a wildfire. ## References BC Wildfire Service. (n.d.-a). *Category 3 open fire*. Government of British Columbia. BC Wildfire Service. (n.d.-b). *Open burning*. Government of British Columbia. BC Wildfire Service. (n.d.-c). *Structure protection program training*. Government of British Columbia. BC Wildfire Service. (2026). *S-100 2026 training standard* (wildland fire suppression). Government of British Columbia. Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, SOR/86-304 (Canada; consolidated to 2026-09-30). Canadian Aviation Regulations, SOR/96-433 (Canada; consolidated to 2026-09-30; Subparts 302 and 303, airports and aircraft fire fighting, and Part IX, remotely piloted aircraft systems). Fire Protection Services Regulations, N.L.R. 45/12 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to N.L.R. 23/26). Fire Safety Act, CQLR c. S-3.4 (Quebec; consolidated to 2026-08-12). Firefighters’ Compensation Act, S.N.B. 2009, c. F-12.5 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2025-06-06). Forest and Prairie Protection Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. F-19 (Alberta; consolidated to 2024-05-30). Forest Management Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. F-14 (Prince Edward Island; consolidated to 2026-05-29). Forest Protection Act, R.S.N.W.T. 1988, c. F-10 (Northwest Territories; consolidated to 2023-03-30). General Regulation 84-204, N.B. Reg. 84-204 (New Brunswick; consolidated to 2024-01-01). Government of New Brunswick. (n.d.-a). *Burning during wildfire season*. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. (2026a). *Forest fire season*. Wildfire management. Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. (2026b, May 1). *Forest fire season now in effect on Island of Newfoundland* \[News release\]. Government of Nova Scotia. (2023, March 7). *Burn restrictions begin March 15* \[News release\]. Government of Prince Edward Island. (2026). *Wildfire response in PEI*. Government of Saskatchewan. (n.d.-a). *Approved standards and practices*. Government of Yukon. (n.d.). *Apply for a burn permit*. Health Canada. (2024). *National framework on cancers linked to firefighting*. National Fire Protection Association. (2022). *NFPA 1140, Standard for wildland fire protection* (consolidates NFPA 1051, 1141, 1143 and 1144). National Fire Protection Association. (2025). *NFPA 1950, Standard on personal protective equipment for technical rescue incidents, emergency medical operations, and wildland and urban interface firefighting* (consolidates NFPA 1951, 1977 and 1999). Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. (2024). *2023 Nova Scotia wildfires after-action report* (prepared by Calian). Occupational Health and Safety Code, Alta. Reg. 191/2021 (Alberta; consolidated to 2025-03-31). Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, B.C. Reg. 296/97 (British Columbia; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Nu. Reg. 003-2016 (Nunavut; consolidated to 2021-09-28). Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, N.W.T. Reg. 039-2015 (Northwest Territories; consolidated to 2024-09-26). Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development \[MLITSD\]. (n.d.). *Firefighter guidance notes* (Section 21 Advisory Committee; individual notes revised to 2026). Sustainable Forest Development Act, CQLR c. A-18.1 (Quebec; consolidated to 2026-08-12). The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020, R.R.S. c. S-15.1, Reg. 10 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to 2021-04-07). The Wildfire Act, S.S. 2014, c. W-13.01 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to S.S. 2024, c. 4). The Wildfires Act, C.C.S.M. c. W128 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2024-04-01). The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, S.S. 2013, c. W-17.11 (Saskatchewan; consolidated to 2025-08-07). The Workers Compensation Act, C.C.S.M. c. W200 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-20). Wildland Fire Management Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F.24 (Ontario; consolidation period from 2026-04-01). Wildland Fire Management, O. Reg. 43/26 (Ontario; as filed 2026-03-13, in force 2026-04-01). Workers’ Compensation Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. W-15 (Alberta; consolidated to 2025-12-18). Workers Compensation Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. W-7.1 (Prince Edward Island; consolidated to 2026-05-29). Workers’ Safety and Compensation Act, S.Y. 2021, c. 11 (Yukon; consolidated to 2024-12-25). Workplace Health and Safety Regulations, Y.O.I.C. 2006/178 (Yukon; consolidated to 2022-09-30). Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Act, 2022, S.N.L. 2022, c. W-11.1 (Newfoundland and Labrador; consolidated to 2026-06-30). Workplace Safety and Health Regulation, Man. Reg. 217/2006 (Manitoba; consolidated to 2026-10-20).