Annual controlled fires to be held at Toronto’s High Park and Lambton Park

The City of Toronto is carrying out a controlled burn in parts of High Park in its continued effort to protect rare tree savannahs. (CTV Toronto/Patrick Darrah)

Traditional and prescribed burns are in the works for High Park and Lambton Park to help protect and restore local ecosystems.

These carefully controlled fires will take place in either late March or early April. Dates will be confirmed 24 to 48 hours in advance depending on weather conditions.

The City of Toronto is collaborating with the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle (ILSC) on this effort, which is known as traditional and prescribed burns in honour of the traditional practice of Indigenous people on Turtle Island.

These deliberately set fires burn low to the ground, consuming dried leaves, twigs, and grass stems.

They are held annually in cities across North America as they support fire-dependent ecosystems. Toronto has done burns for more than 20 years and they are part of the city’s long-term management plan to restore and protect rare Black Oak woodlands and savannahs in parks, which the city said contain rare native prairie plants that respond positively to burning and grow more vigorously.

Indigenous Peoples, meanwhile, have performed traditional burns to also protect and sustain Black Oak woodland and savannah ecosystems for thousands of years.

The ILSC brings Indigenous ceremony and traditional knowledge to the centre of the burns, which are known by the name “Biinaakzigewok Anishnaabeg.” Given by Elder Henry Pitawanakwat, it means “the responsibility for a cleansing fire by all Native Peoples” in Anishinaabemowin, the city explained in a release.

How you will be impacted

On the day of the burn, High Park will be closed to vehicles but will reopen once the fire is done. Access near burn zones will be closed off to park users in both High Park and Lambton Park. Park users should also expect the temporary closures of roads and trails near active burn sites, the city said.

Notices will be posted throughout parks and in the surrounding community to let the public know about when the burns will take place and the public is being asked to follow all safety signage.

People with respiratory conditions or sensitivities should stay inside and keep windows closed, or even leave the area to avoid potential sensitivity to smoke.

More details can be found online.

What will happen during the fires

During the traditional and prescribed burns city staff will be onsite working to ensure the safety of the public and wildlife, and to provide information to the public about what is happening.

The city says smoke from burns will rise and dissipate in ideal conditions, however, weather changes could cause it to drift and impact residential areas near the parks.