Dufferin County imposes fire ban

A county-wide fire ban has been implemented in Dufferin. 

Effective immediately, all open fires are prohibited anywhere in the county. 

This fire ban is being imposed by Dufferin County Fire Chiefs due to extreme dryness of all vegetation in the area. Provincial forest and wild-land fire indicators are all at extreme levels. 

With the pending grain harvest, farmers are encouraged to exercise extreme caution with combining, as field fires can quickly overtake equipment and neighbouring crops. These fires can spread quickly to adjacent woodlands. 

Open air fires are defined as any fire outside of a building, including bonfires, campfires, burn barrels, outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or any other fires set in open air.

If you discover an open fire, it is very important that you report first immediately to 9-1-1. Do not delay reporting while attempting to control or extinguish the fire. 

All burn permits in Dufferin County municipalities are now suspended and no burn permits will be issued until the ban is lifted. 

In Clearview Township, the fire rating is set at high, meaning burning is allowed but residents should use extreme caution as fire can spread easily due to dry conditions. Special permits for large burns are not permitted.

“We will be monitoring but Clearview will not implement a fire ban until at earliest next Friday (July 20) if at all,” said Fire Chief Colin Shewell.