The Ministry of Natural Resources is supporting a call for a year-round permitting system for open-air burning in the Rainy River district.
Area municipal leaders gave approval to the concept at their meeting on the weekend.
The idea arose after an early start to last year's forest fire season forced several municipalities to impose fire bans.
Currently, permits are only needed between April and October.
Marnie Brown of the MNR says extending the need for burning permits allows for greater control of burning outside the normal forest fire season.