Wildfire on Bobs Lake destroys 4 cottages

South Frontenac Fire and Rescue (Facebook)

Four cottages and four other outbuildings have been destroyed following a wildfire on an island on Bobs Lake in eastern Ontario.

South Frontenac Fire Chief Delbert Blakney told CTV News Ottawa in an email that firefighters responded to a blaze on Birch Island at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday that had engulfed a cottage.

“The fire was crowning across the trees rapidly spreading the fire towards other cottages and outbuildings,” Blakney said.

Blakney estimated the cost of the damage at between $1.5 and $2 million and said affected cottage owners have been notified. Between five and seven acres were consumed in the blaze.

Firefighters from Central Frontenac also attended, Blakney said. The fire was declared under control by 6 p.m. and the remaining cottages on the island were saved.

“While no civilian injuries occurred, two firefighters were treated by Frontenac Paramedics for heat stress,” Blakney said.

Firefighters returned to the scene at 7 a.m. Monday to put out hotspots and cut down any remaining burning trees. They left the island just after 12:30 p.m.

Blakney thanked cottagers in the area who provided food and lodging to the firefighters overnight, “which made providing a fire watch more comfortable given the high winds and wet conditions,” he said.

Burn barrel blamed

Blakney said the fire originated in a burn barrel, despite the burn ban in effect in the region. He said enforcement measures are currently being reviewed.

“(South Frontenac Fire and Rescue) reminds residents that burn barrels are not permitted during a Level 1 burn ban. Burn barrels are not safe as wind can spread embers and hot ashes to areas around the barrel,” Blakney said. “The ground under the barrel can also ignite and spread underground. The fire weather index rating yesterday was high given the windspeed and extreme lack of moisture.”

He added that the ongoing drought conditions in eastern Ontario have led to the water level on Bobs Lake being approximately four feet lower than normal for this time year, which made it challenging to get firefighters and equipment to the island.

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