Local fire chief shares important safety tips for generator use

Crews respond to a fire in Oro-Medonte Twp., Ont., on Thurs., April 3, 2025.

With Orillia and surrounding communities being among the most impacted areas by last weekend’s ice storm, Oro-Medonte’s fire chief is sounding the alarm when it comes to fire safety for generator use.

According to Oro-Medonte Fire & Emergency Services (OMFES), their firefighters have responded to four generator fires in the last four days.

“With the prolonged power outages still experienced by many Ontario residents, the use of portable generators is quite high,” said Roree Payment, OMFES chief, in an email to CTV News. “Due to the many fires directly associated with portable generators over the last week, I want to express my concern and encourage everyone to be aware of safe generator use and fire safety practices.”

OMFES provided the following fire safety tips to locals related to generator use:

• Never run a generator inside, always keep it at least ten feet away from a home, car, deck or any other combustible. 
• Ensure that all stoves and heat generating appliances are turned off as the power is being restored. 
• Refuel generators only when they are turned off, and use undamaged extension cords.
• Make sure all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in working order and do not take any unnecessary risks during this time.

Payment added that crews also responded to a kitchen fire due to a stove that was left on when the power went out, and it ignited the contents on the stove once power was restored to the home.

According to Hydro One, thousands in Central Ontario were still without power on Friday.

Nearly 50 per cent of the City of Orillia was still in the dark on Thursday.