According to fire officials, the risk of forest fires is at the very least high, if not extreme for many municipalities across central Ontario. The town of Bracebridge is now displaying signs that indicate a ‘high’ forest fire hazard in wild land areas. “(The signs are) to heighten the level of awareness that it is a danger out there in the bush,” says Chief Kevin Plested, Bracebridge Fire Dept. He adds that dry plant cover is the biggest risk, as it serves as ample fuel for a potential forest fire. “It’s the top two layers that are dried out that are basically giving us the potential issues for any wildland fires, that they can catch easily and spread quickly,” said Ritch Lowell, Severn Township Fire chief. Severn Township also has a ‘high’ fire rating risk. Experts say this time of year, even small fires can get out of hand quickly. “Having that distance away from combustible materials, having a good water source on hand or some method of extinguishing the fire in case it does go away and don’t leave it unattended,” Plested says. “Really making sure that you’re burning the clean, dry wood that we’re looking for as opposed to contract construction materials, which can cause that sort of snap, crackle, pop and send embers,” adds Lowell. The Bracebridge chief maintains the rating is meant to be a safety warning, but not a deterrent from having small, responsibly contained fires. “Through all this, we don’t want to lessen the enjoyment level of our residents. We’re not out there to say we know campfires,” Plested says, adding, “we need them to do it safely.” “If we know the conditions are bad, we need to put that fire ban on,” he said. Residents are encouraged to be careful even after rainfall, as experts say plants need time to consume the water before the risk of fire spreading can truly subside.
