Bone-dry conditions in Innisfil has prompted the town to issue an open-air burning ban effective immediately.
During this ban, all open-air burning and the use of fireworks are prohibited. This includes any outdoor fire, even if individuals have an approved burn permit. The ban applies to cooking fires and any coal or charcoal wood/woodchip barbecue devices.
“The decision to implement a total fire ban and fireworks ban is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our community,” says Brent Thomas, Fire Chief of the Town of Innisfil, in a news release on Monday. “Protecting our neighbourhoods from accidental, but devastating fires starts with the fire ban and continues with the help of each and every Innisfil resident and business.”
Over the weekend, Innisfil firefighters responded to a large brush fire in a field in the area of Line 5 and 10 Sideroad.
"The town wishes to thank and acknowledge Kell Farms and Wardlaw Farms who both provided assistance to plow ahead of our fireline to help prevent further spread of flames and clean up some hot spots resulting from the fire," according to a news release from the municipality.
Cooking appliances with a mechanical shut-off, such as propane or natural gas, are permitted during a fire ban. They must be placed on a hard surface, deck, or non-flammable area, maintaining a significant distance from any combustible materials.
The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
The fire danger rating in Innisfil is listed as extreme.
For more information: Fire Danger Rating - Town of Innisfil
Springwater Township issued an outdoor water and outdoor fire ban earlier this month due to the dry conditions. The fire ban extends to the use of fireworks. Residents are also barred from lawn and garden watering, including newly seeded lawns, filling swimming pools of any size, and the use of water slides, water toys, and sprinklers.
More information here: https://www.springwater.ca/en/news/public-notice-temporary-water-and-fire-ban-in-effect.aspx
The forecast calls for pop-up showers and a thunderstorm Monday and Tuesday, but any rain that falls will be very spotty, according to Environment Canada.
The heat and humidity will begin to ease by mid-week, but sunny conditions are on tap from Wednesday into the long weekend.
Environment Canada says Barrie typically receives about 80 mm of rain in both June and July, and that target is well off the mark. Barrie received 42 mm of rain last month and is currently at just 13 mm for July with only a few days to go before the calendar flips to August on Friday.
