Firefighters from Minden Hills, Dysart et al and Algonquin Highlands teamed up March 30 to combat a brush fire in Gelert that “quickly” spun out of control.
Coming on the eve of a new County-wide daytime burning bylaw, which came into effect April 1, the blaze, which started as an open burn before spreading into some brush and nearby prairie grass, scorched 11 acres and took out a large barn, said Rob Thibert, Minden Hills’ acting fire chief.
The fire took several hours to bring under control, with 30 firefighters and 12 pieces of apparatus responding from the three local volunteer units.
“Due to the efforts of well-trained and equipped firefighters, the fire was extinguished before it could spread into a large, forested area,” Thibert said. “Due to inconsistent and unseasonably warm temperatures over the past couple of days, these conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly.”
The fire chief said this was a timely reminder to residents of why the open air burning bylaw is necessary. Jointly created by the County’s four chiefs, and adopted by councils in Algonquin Highlands, Dysart et al, Highlands East, and Minden Hills, the bylaw establishes consistent burning regulations across the Highlands, while introducing some new provisions.
The major change is the elimination of daytime burning during the fire season, which runs from April 1 to Oct. 31. Previously, daytime burn permits were available to set open air fires during this period.
“The 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded in Canada, and the decision to eliminate daytime burning… was made with heightened public safety in mind,” Thibert said.
Dan Chumbley, fire chief in Dysart, said 16 firefighters from his department assisted with Saturday’s fire, which occurred on a property off Gelert Road near Ingoldsby Road shortly after 1 p.m. Referencing the new open air burning bylaw, Chumbley said it’s necessary due to the early thaw.
“The spring has started out drier than usual so we are also starting [our response] earlier with this review,” Chumbley said.
Highlands East fire chief, Chris Baughman, said there were several brush/grass fires reported in the County over the weekend. He said the new bylaw is necessary to prevent fires like the one in Gelert Saturday.
“At this time, there is not a total ban, just no day burning between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. This could change if things continue to dry out quickly with little rain and most of the snow already melted,” Baughman said.
There are some exceptions – contractors or applicants with open building, demolition, or driveway permits who require daytime burning can apply for an exemption through their local fire department.
Open air fires for cooking and warmth are also permitted, though they must be small, confined, and supervised at all times. These fires must be smaller than 0.6 metres in diameter; confined within a fire pit or appliance; completely extinguished when use is complete; and must comply with all other conditions of the bylaw.
Fires for cooking or warmth are not permitted during a fire ban, the chiefs confirmed in a media release.
For evening fires, Baughman said the maximum size allowed is two metres in diameter, with any controlled blaze required to be at least three metres from any combustibles, fence, or structure, such as a house or deck.
For more information, contact your local fire chief:
• Mike French, fire chief, Algonquin Highlands, 705-706-0010, mfrench@algonquinhighlands.ca
• Rob Thibert, acting fire chief, Minden Hills, 705-286-1202, ext. 561, rthibert@mindenhills.ca
• Dan Chumbley, fire chief, Dysart et al, 705-457-2126, dchumbley@dysartetal.ca
• Chris Baughman, fire chief, Highlands East, 705-448-2981, cbaughman@highlandseast.ca.
