Overview

To support the protection of public safety, property, infrastructure and more, we manage and operate a number of:

  • response centres
  • fire management personnel
  • FireRangers
  • various fixed wing aircraft and helicopters

Disrupting air traffic around forest fires is dangerous and illegal. This can cause delays in wildland fire suppression efforts and put the safety of firefighters, fire response personnel, the public, and other emergency service personnel at risk.

Drone, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or un-manned aerial vehicles (UAV) safety

Flying drones, RPAS or UAV around forest fires is dangerous and illegal.

When you fly a drone near a wildland fire, you can put the lives of pilots, firefighters and other emergency service personnel at risk.

The “no drone zone” is any area within 9 kilometres of any forest fire.

Before you fly your drone, make sure you understand the rules and regulations.

Drone pilots must follow the rules in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR). Visit Transport Canada’s drone safety to learn about:

  • drone safety
  • legal requirements
  • regulations
  • penalties

Remember, you are the pilot of your drone. Be safe and stay clear of wildland fires.

Waterbomber safety

Waterbombers are used exclusively for suppressing wildland fires and can scoop 6,130 litres of water in 12 seconds.

If encroaching watercraft on a lake or river pose a safety hazard, waterbombers will not scoop. This can cause delays in effectively and efficiently suppressing a nearby wildland fire, which could put the safety of the public, firefighters and other emergency service personnel at risk.

You can help fight wildland fires by staying clear of waterbombers. When waterbombers approach a body of water, move close to the shore so they can perform their scoop safely and effectively.

Airspace around wildland fires

Section 601.15 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR) states that the airspace around wildland fires is restricted to wildland fire suppression aircraft only. No unauthorized person shall operate an aircraft, including drones or RPAS, over a wildland fire area or within 5 Nautical Miles (NM) of the edge of a wildland fire at an altitude less than 3000 feet above ground level (AGL).

There does not need to be a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in place for these limitations to apply.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

In some cases, a NOTAM may be issued under CAR 601.16 for an area around a wildland fire. The restrictions imposed by a NOTAM are above and beyond the standard airspace restriction imposed by CAR 601.15.

Pilots are reminded that NOTAMs concerning wildland fires can be found in the Flight Information Region section when flight planning.

Find information on all active Ontario forest fires and current NOTAMs.