As the temperatures begin to heat up, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services reminds residents and visitors to keep fire safety in mind when lighting up campfires, bonfires, fireworks and open burns.
Chatham-Kent Fire Department officials say wildfires destroy an average of 200,000 hectares of forested land each year in Ontario and campfires are the leading cause of preventable wildfires. Dry conditions are a key factor in increasing the risk of wildfire, as during prolonged dry spells, trees, ground litter and other fuels dry out and ignite more readily.
Natural Resources Canada manages a Canadian Wildland Fire Information System fire weather map (http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/maps/fw) with daily updates on areas at risk for wildfire due to weather conditions.
Visit this map to see if your area is affected before conducting an open burn.
In the event Chatham-Kent is at extreme risk for wildfires, a ban on open burning will be put into place.
“We continually monitor the fire weather maps and will make recommendations accordingly, including restricting open air burning permits in the case of extreme weather-related fire risk,” said Chris Case, assistant chief, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services.
Chatham-Kent does not permit open air burning in urban areas unless it is used to cook food on a grill or barbecue.
Such burning must consist of a small, confined fire that is supervised at all times.
Once the cooking is complete, the fire must be extinguished.
Those living in rural areas must submit a permit application and receive approval by the community Station Chief before conducting an open burn.
To learn more about open air burning or to request a permit, visit https://www.ckfire.com/.
