The Chatham-Kent Fire Department is monitoring the wildland fire risk across the community on a daily basis.
Chris Case, assistant fire chief in Chatham-Kent, told the Sydenham Current the CKFD is keeping a close eye on the situation.
“It’s reviewed everyday,” Case said, referring to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System interactive map.
The fire danger risk in Wallaceburg and Walpole Island was downgraded on Tuesday, July 5 to “high” after being deemed “extreme” on Monday, July 5.
Much of Chatham-Kent is blanketed by the “high risk” category, with locations surrounding Lake St. Clair in the “low risk” category.
“Fire Danger is a relative index of how easy it is to ignite vegetation, how difficult a fire may be to control, and how much damage a fire may do,” Natural Resources Canada officials say.
With the devastation that took place in Fort McMurray, Alberta earlier this year still fresh in people’s minds, Case said it not anywhere near the same situation in Chatham-Kent.
“We don’t have the same geography as Fort McMurray,” he said.
“We don’t have the coniferous forest cover.”
Case said he wants people to use common sense in Chatham-Kent.
“Anyone having a fire more than a barbecue or in a small confined fire pit, needs to get a permit,” he said.
Case said open-air burning in urban areas of Chatham-Kent is not permitted unless used to cook food on a grill or barbecue.
The bylaw in Chatham-Kent states that such burning must consist of a small, confined fire that is supervised at all times and once cooking is complete, the fire must be extinguished.
In rural areas in Chatham-Kent, open-air burning is not permitted unless an application to burn is submitted and approved by the station chief of your community.
Here are some more details about open air burning in Chatham-Kent:
When do you require an open air burn permit?
“The only time an approved open air burn permit is not required is when the open burn is a fire pit and meets the by-law size and distance requirements or is a barbeque.”
How can I apply for an open air burning permit?
“Open burn applications can be accessed at any of the municipal service centres or on the municipality’s website. Once the application is complete it may be submitted by fax to 519-352-8620 or dropped off to any municipal service centre. Applicants can expect approval within seven business days. All open air burning permits must be approved by a fire official. The permits are valid for 12 months before they require a renewal.
What restrictions are there for getting an open air burning permit?
A permit will only be issued for someone that has a rural 911 address (green number sign). No permits will be issued for urban areas. The product being burned must be part of normal farm practice (burning of diseased trees, clearing of ditch banks, fence rows, etc.).
Are burn barrels allowed and do we need a permit for them?
The answer is NO, burn barrels are not allowed. There is a regulation in the Ontario Fire Code that states they are not allowed in the province of Ontario.
Can I have a fire pit in my back yard?
Yes, if it can meet the distance restrictions in the by-law. The fire pit can be no closer than 25 feet to combustibles and property lines.
Here are some more links:
Case said the CKFD would consider taking increased measures – such as implementing a fire ban – if the Fire Danger index reached the extreme risk across the community.
Environment Canada officials say June was one of the driest months in recent years.
