Fire danger ratings throughout province will begin being updated as of April 1.
Fire chiefs throughout the Parry Sound District local hold weekly conversations to determine the municipal ratings, according to Dave Thompson, fire chief for the Town of Parry Sound. Local chiefs usually update the ratings on Monday`s and Thursday`s throughout the fire season. He says it`s very important residents pay attention to those ratings and ask questions when it comes to open air burning.
“Please contact your municipal office, find out what you can and can`t do in your municipality, what is legal to do in your municipality and how to go about it properly,” said Thompson.
“In some areas you need to have permits, in other areas you can have limited fires without permits. It is incredibly important that you know specifically what is needed in your municipality.”
Thompson noted that a mild winter with a lack of snow and an early spring has created dangerous conditions. He is urging residents to be extra caution.
“We are really coming into the most dangerous time of the season,” he said. “Prior to the leaves coming on to the trees, the sun gets into the forest floor and can dry it out, especially right on the surface area. That allows the wind to blow first across the surface of the forest quite quickly.”
Check back in throughout the spring and summer for up-to-date information on the current fire ratings across the region.