With extremely dry conditions due to a lack of rain, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service has issued a total burn ban across the City of Kawartha Lakes effective Tuesday (August 5).
The total burn ban applies to all open-air burning, including brush piles, campfires, burn barrels, and recreational fires.
The burn ban does not apply to outdoor appliances are CSA-approved or ULC-approved and are fuelled by propane or natural gas, such as barbecues and outdoor fireplaces.
“With little to no rainfall over the past several weeks, fire risk conditions have rapidly worsened,” says Fire Chief Terry Jones in a media release. “To protect public safety and prevent wildfires, we are implementing a total burn ban until conditions improve.”
The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice. Anyone who sets a fire during the ban may be held financially responsible for all firefighting costs incurred under municipal by-laws.
Wile those with valid agricultural burn permits are exempt from the burn ban under municipal by-law 2016-110, fire officials are strongly recommended that all agricultural burning be postponed until the ban is lifted.
