A “human caused” fire has destroyed several buildings and vehicles in Gravenhurst.
Deputy Fire Chief Todd Clapp of the Gravenhurst Fire Department told 705BLACKFLY.COM that the fire on May 12th was near Riley Lake. At about 1:40 PM, firefighters were called to the scene of the fast-moving wildland fire which was about a half hectare in size. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire while the crews were enroute as buildings and vehicles began to burn. Approximately 25 firefighters and 10 fire apparatus responded.
A number of small buildings, including two cabins, in addition to a camper trailer and two vehicles were destroyed. The fire department estimates damages at $150,000.
There have been multiple fires across the 705 in recent weeks – many due to improper outdoor burning. At the time of publication, many municipalities have posted high fire danger ratings. As we head into the unofficial start of summer, being aware of fire regulations and safety practices is essential.
The Muskoka Lakes Fire Department posted the information below on social media:
Are you planning on burning your yard waste? Please follow these guidelines carefully:
~ If you are going to burn during the day time (7am to 7pm) you require a permit.
~ Verify the Fire Danger Rating before lighting the fire. (You can find that on your municipality’s website)
~ The fire must be under constant supervision and control from the time of lighting until it is completely extinguished;
~ The fire shall not be located closer than 6 metres, (20 feet), from any building, vehicle, structure, hedge, fence, road or overhead wire or obstruction of any kind;
~ Do not burn if winds are over 16 Kmph
~ The fire shall not exceed 1 metre, (3 feet), in diameter and 1 metre, (3 feet), in height.
~ Must have adequate means to extinguish the fire readily available.
A full list of guidelines is available at Muskoka Lakes Fire Department website.
705BLACKFLY.COM has have done several stories in recent weeks about fires and fire safety and have spoken to multiple fire departments. Here are some more rules to keep in mind.
When having an open-air fire, please practice safety first.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Do not use aerosols or accelerants on a fire, such as gasoline. These substances are unpredictable, can explode and ignite surrounding areas.
- There must be an immediately accessible and adequate supply of water and tools available to extinguish a fire. Make sure the fire is out completely before leaving the site.
- Keep your distance. Children, pets and adults should stay a safe distance away.
- In the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. Do not wait for the fire to get out of control.
For more details on regulations and safety procedures go to the Government of Ontario’s website.
