It's early, but already most of the Northeast Region is showing high fire hazard.
An extreme hazard has been posted for the areas to the northwest of Onaping Falls, along Highway 69, Killarney, French River, Magnetawan, and the Kawartha Highlands.
There is one new fire confirmed in the Northeast region in Algonquin Park which measures 0.1 hectares and is being held. The fire is located on the northern shore of North River Lake.
Rain is forecast for Tuesday, but after that, mostly sunny skies will dominate the next two weeks.
"We are anticipating variable fire hazards with periods of below average numbers and fire behaviour, interspersed with higher fire hazard and activity," Amy Peltonen, Fire Information Officer told BayToday.
"Seasonal outlooks are challenging due to the complexity and variability of the wildland fire season. Due to the variability of weather, this outlook may change as updated information becomes available. Current and forecasted wildland fire conditions are being continuously and carefully monitored to ensure sufficient resources will be available and ready to respond to wildland fires. Ministry resources are fully committed to existing fires as well as being on alert to respond to new ones."
At the beginning of each year, the ministry is given a base funding of $100 million to protect people, property, and natural resources from wildland fires. However, this level of funding is not intended to be the ministry’s total emergency firefighting requirements.
"As fire season severity can fluctuate greatly each year, the year start allocation is intended to support emergency firefighting activity until a point in the fire season when the total costs can be accurately predicted," explained Peltonen.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry employs up to 800 highly trained professional seasonal FireRangers. In addition, up to 80 contract fire crews (320 firefighters) are available from the private sector when needed throughout the fire season.
The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch reminds Ontarians who are performing yard clean-up to choose alternatives to burning grass, leaves, and woody yard debris.
"If you must burn, consider chipping or composting brush or grass before burning, and make sure you know the rules and follow Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations to ensure you burn grass and woody debris safely. Make sure you have the tools and water on hand to put the fire out, and never leave it unattended. Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.," says a news release.
To familiarize yourself with Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations, visit the website at Ontario.ca/outdoorburning.
Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning. In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill. If you must burn, follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations.
Fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Always have tools/water adequate to contain the fire at the site. Know the rules for safe outdoor burning. Consult the full set of Outdoor Burning Regulations.
To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE. To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.
