Wallaceburg firefighters were at the scene along the Snye River, on the Chatham-Kent side, near the Walpole Island bridge on Thursday afternoon battling large brush fires.
It appears the phragmites were ignited along the river bank, resulting in large flames and black smoke billowing into the sky.
Firefighters from two Chatham-Kent Fire Department trucks were spotted battling the flames.
Details are limited at the moment.
Here are some videos from the scene, taken just before 4:30 p.m.
Burning phragmites near #WalpoleIsland @ckfiredept pic.twitter.com/pgP6kZVaAo
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 23 March 2017
Up close, burning phragmites near #WalpoleIsland on the #ckont side @ckfiredept 🔥 pic.twitter.com/thEUSfNLvw
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 23 March 2017
@ckfiredept firefighters battling the flames near #WalpoleIsland 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sXe9H6Brg4
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 23 March 2017
Some details about phragmites, they are an invasive plant which causes damage to Ontario’s biodiversity, wetlands and beaches. Invasive Phragmites is a perennial grass that has been damaging ecosystems in Ontario for decades. It is not clear how it was transported to North America from its native home in Eurasia.
Invasive Phragmites is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly and out-competes native species for water and nutrients.
It releases toxins from its roots into the soil to hinder the growth of and kill surrounding plants. While it prefers areas of standing water, its roots can grow to extreme lengths, allowing it to survive in relatively dry areas.
– Photo credit: Aaron Hall
