LOCAL FIRE RATING STILL ‘HIGH’ AFTER RAIN IN SOME PARTS OF MUSKOKA DURING THE WEEKEND

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — Fire danger remains “high” as wildfires are still choking people locally — especially farther north where some community evacuations continue.

However, a complete ban on fires was lifted today, Monday July 20 after rain in some parts of the district during the weekend and cooler temperatures forecast for Tuesday.

The chefs still warn “extreme caution must be taken with all open flames.”

Small fires are permitted in most areas of Muskoka  —keeping in mind that no daytime burning is allowed.

You must have adequate tools and water to extinguish the fire if the need arises and you must be with your fire at all times.

Ensure any campfires are fully extinguished.

It also means:

  • Daytime burning is prohibited, including all contractor fires
  • All current open-air fire permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued
  • Fireworks are strictly prohibited, and any display firework permits are void
  • Small, confined fires are permitted in the evening (6 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following morning) without a permit, use extreme caution with fires.

Consult with your local bylaw department for outdoor burning regulations in your municipality.

The Muskoka Fire Chiefs thank everyone for their continued support.

Northeast Ontario update:

According to Ontario’s Aviation Forest Fire Emergency services in their latest bulletin yesterday:

Three new wildland fires were confirmed here Sunday — closes to Muskoka.

  • Sudbury 29 (SUD029) measures 0.1 of a hectare, and is in proximity to the Chelmsford Golf Course. One Ontario FireRanger crew is assisting the Greater Sudbury Fire Department.
  • Cochrane 45 (COC45) is being observed approximately 120 kilometres west of the Fort Albany Airport, in the Far North.
  • Cochrane 46 (COC46) has already been declared out. It measured a total of 0.1 of a hectare and was located on an island of Ritchie Lake, north of Hearst.

It said there are currently 46 active wildland fires in the Northeast Region.

Of those: 6 are not under control, 1 is being held, 7 are under control and 32 are being observed.

Update on Wawa  fire17 (WAW017):

Four Fire Ranger crews are making good progress.

This fire is located approximately 15 kilometres northeast of Pic Mobert and east of White Lake.

Helipads have been established to facilitate access and crews are continuing to work to establish hoselines.

There was some precipitation in the area Saturday, and despite the high winds, there has been no further growth on this fire over the weekend.

Ontario fire picture as of Monday. IMAGE AAFC
Watch for these signs on roads around Muskoka this week.
Ontario offers wildfire help line information.

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