With extremely dry conditions due to a lack of rain, total burn bans are in place in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and some townships in Peterborough County.
Most of the fire bans went into effect on Tuesday (August 5).
In Kawartha Lakes, the burn ban applies to all open-air burning, including brush piles, campfires, burn barrels, charcoal barbeques, torches and recreational fires such as bonfires.
In Haliburton County, the ban also extends to cooking fires and fireworks and includes the townships of Algonquin Highlands, Minden Hills, Highlands East and Dysart et al.
The fire bans do 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 Kawartha Lakes 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.”
Haliburton County states that its fire ban is being implemented through a joint decision of the county’s four chief fire officials due to ongoing hot and dry weather and is supported by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The fire bans will remain in effect until further notice.
In Kawartha Lakes, anyone who sets a fire during the ban may be held financially responsible for all firefighting costs incurred under municipal by-laws. In Haliburton County, violating the ban will result in fines.
Those with valid agricultural burn permits in Kawartha Lakes are exempt from the burn ban under municipal by-law 2016-110. However, fire officials are strongly recommending that all agricultural burning be postponed until the ban is lifted.
In Peterborough County, both the townships of North Kawartha and Trent Lakes issued open-air burn bans effective August 5. All active burn permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued during the ban. In addition, fireworks are banned in North Kawartha.
Also on August 5, Selwyn Township issued a ban on burning brush. Campfires are permitted, with the exception of built-up areas of the township.
On July 25, the townships of Asphodel-Norwood and Otonabee-South Monaghan both issued open-air burn bans.
As the end of July, the townships of Cavan Monaghan and Douro-Dummer both issued bans on open-air daytime burning. Only evening campfires are permitted.
The original version of this story has been modified to include total fire bans and other burning restrictions in Haliburton County, Peterborough County, and Northumberland County.
