Fire bans have been implemented in municipalities across the Kawarthas. Here is the current list of burn bans as of July 10, 2018:
City of Kawartha Lakes
Effective July 9th, the Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service has issued a burn ban for the entire City of Kawartha Lakes until further notice.
According to fire chief Mark Pankhurst, the burn ban has been issued due to continuous hot temperatures and dry conditions.
While there have been no calls for fires at area homes or cottages, there have been three fires in the northern region of Kawartha Lakes over the past week (near Glenarm, near Udra Lake north of Buckhorn, and in Carden near Dalrymple).
The burn ban does not necessarily apply to those with agricultural burn permits or special burn permits, as specific conditions already apply to these permits. However, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service also encourages those permit holders to follow safe and common sense practice at all times when burning.
Under section 8.03 of City of Kawartha Lakes By-law 2016-110, those having a fire during a burn ban can be charged under the Provincial Offences Act and will also be responsible for the costs incurred by fire control.
Residents will be notified when the burn ban is lifted.
For more information, visit the City of Kawartha Lakes website at /www.kawarthalakes.ca.
County of Haliburton
Also effective July 9th, Haliburton County (including all of Highlands East) is under a fire ban.
Dry conditions, high heat, and the lack of forecasted precipitation has led to an extreme fire risk.
The fire ban will take effect immediately and applies to all burning outdoors — including campfires, agricultural burns, and brush pile burns.
The fire ban also includes properties issued with burn permits. All burn permits are cancelled.
The ban will be in effect until further notice.
Township of North Kawartha, County of Peterborough
Effective July 10th, North Kawartha is in a fire ban. High heat, extremely dry conditions, and the lack of precipitation has lead to an extreme fire risk. All fire permits are cancelled and campfires, including fireworks are also strictly prohibited during the fire ban.
For more information contact the North Kawartha Fire Department at 705-656-4445 Extension 221 or 222.
Township of Douro-Dummer, County of Peterborough
Due to the continued dry conditions in the Township of Douro-Dummer, as well as data from the Wildland Fire Information System, the Township is enabling a fire ban through By-law 2015-05 effective on July 10th.
No open air burning will be allowed, with the exception of campgrounds as defined within the By-law. These campgrounds must meet the requirements set out in the By-law if they choose to utilize the exemption.
Another factor for enacting this fire ban is that some water sources are no longer available which could lead to shuttling water from further distances, delaying extinguishment.
“We hope that conditions change and we can all enjoy the recreational fires that memories are made from, but until that time please be responsible with all ignition sources, including cigarettes that have already caused fires along the side of roadways,” says Fire Chief Chuck Pedersen.
Enforcement of set fires during a fire ban may result in a $500 penalty as well as response to extinguish such fires can be charged at $465.42 per fire apparatus.
For more information, contact Chuck Pedersen, Douro-Dummer Fire Chief, at 705-652-8392, ext. 207 or cpedersen@dourodummer.on.ca.
Township of Selwyn, County of Peterborough
Due the extreme dryness in the area, a total burn ban is in effect for Selwyn Township as of July 10th until further notice.
For more information, contact the Selwyn Fire Department at 705-292-7282.
Township of Asphodel-Norwood, County of Peterborough
As of July 10th, a fire ban is in effect in the Township of Asphodel-Norwood.
No open-air burning will be tolerated until conditions improve. Violations are subject to penalties outlined in Township of Asphodel-Norwood By-Law 2016-79.
Residents will be notified when the fire ban is rescinded.
Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, County of Peterborough
Effective July 10th, the Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a ban on all burning in the township, because the fire danger indices for the area remain high, and there is no precipitation in the near future.
The burn ban will be in effect until further notice.
Municipality of Trent Lakes
Effective July 10th, due to current dry weather conditions coupled with the continued forecast of extreme temperatures with no appreciable rain in the near future, the Municipality of Trent Lakes has issued an immediate ban on all open air burning. This ban suspends all approved Open Air Burning Permits.
This ban includes the following and will remain in effect until further notice to ensure public safety: burning of clean wood and brush, outdoor campfires, all outdoor wood burning appliances, and fireworks. It is highly recommended that citizens also refrain from using other outdoor flame producing devices until further notice, such as natural gas flame logs, propane-fuelled fireplaces, patio torches, and outdoor candles.
Citizens are further reminded that all smokers’ materials should be fully extinguished before being discarded in proper non-combustible containers.
Any person found to be conducting open air burning in contravention of the ban, is guilty of an offence and subject to charges being filed in Provincial Offences Court.
The Trent Lakes Fire Rescue will continue to monitor the weather conditions and issue a subsequent release when the open air burning ban is lifted.
City of Peterborough
Due to the high number of complaints from residents regarding to open air burning, residents are reminded that open air burning is not permitted within the City of Peterborough.
Peterborough Fire Services is confirming a total fire ban in the City and County of Peterborough due to ongoing hot, dry weather.
Fire bowls, fire-pit tables, and barbeques that burn propane or natural gas are examples of permitted appliances and are not subject to the fire ban.
When a complaint is received by Peterborough Fire Services, attending crews will extinguish all open air fires that are not contained in an approved appliance. Enforcement options may be taken against property owners that have open air fires during the fire ban.
