Burn season begins April 1st, but the recent warm, dry days is raising concerns about grass and forest fires. Ontario has already seen several grass fires across the province.
The Magnetawan Fire Department provided us with this important information:
- Check the Fire Danger Rating and familiarise yourself with the Open-Air Burning By-Law prior to having a fire
- If it is windy do not have a fire as this creates a higher risk of the fire spreading.
- Only conduct burns in a device or a fire pit that contains the fire.
- Rake away any dead vegetation that is near the fire such as leaves, grass, sticks etc.
- Wet the area around the exterior of the fire pit.
- Make sure you have devices immediately available that are sufficient enough extinguish the fire should it spread.
- Recreational Open air Burns “camp fires” are required to be no larger than 2 feet x 2 feet wide x 2 feet high or 8 cubic feet. Ensure your fire does not exceed this.
- Once the fire has been started, it must be supervised at all times until it has been completely extinguished.
- When extinguishing the fire, use copious amounts of water to cool the fire, then use a rake or shovel to “stir up” any embers to allow the water to cool all areas of the fire. This should be continued until the fire is completely extinguished. A fire is considered extinguished when it is cool to the touch.
For our video, we spoke with Kearney Fire Chief Paul Schaefer about fire prevention, fines, and the risk to firefighters.
For more on Ontario’s burning regulations go to: https://www.ontario.ca/page/outdoor-fire-rules-and-permits
For more ways to protect your home from fires visit: https://firesmartcanada.ca/
Our thanks to Magnetawan Building Official/Fire Prevention Officer Jamie Goldring and Kearney Fire Chief Paul Schaefer for assisting with our story.
