Just before the Labour Day long weekend, total fire bans have been lifted in some areas of the greater Kawarthas region.
On Wednesday (August 27), both the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County announced that open-air burn bans are no longer in place, effective immediately, due to significant rainfall in some areas, cooler temperatures, and more rain in the forecast.
This means that campfires, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, charcoal-burning barbeques, and fireworks are again permitted in Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County, subject to any regular municipal restrictions.
In Kawartha Lakes, the burn hazard index remains at high, with elevated fire risks from large amounts of storm debris from the spring ice storm and localized precipitation.
“Lifting the ban does not mean the risk has passed,” said Kawartha Lakes Fire Chief Terry Jones in a media release.
“There’s still plenty of dry, combustible material on the ground from spring storm damage, and rainfall has been uneven across our communities. If you choose to burn or use fireworks, do so responsibly — keep it small, keep water close by, and never leave a fire unattended. If it’s too windy, don’t burn.”
Northumberland County is reminding residents to follow their local municipal open-air burning by-laws and to always use extreme caution when performing open air burns.
As for Peterborough County, Cavan Monaghan Township lifted its burn ban last Wednesday (August 20), with campfires permitted between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. On Tuesday (August 26), Sewlyn Township lifted its burn ban to allow campfires, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas; however, waste and brush burning and agricultural burns remain prohibited.
As of the date and time of this story, the remaining six municipalities in Peterborough County have fire bans in place, with a county-wide fire ban also continuing in Haliburton County. As for the City of Peterborough, open-air burning is never permitted with the city’s boundaries.
