Municipality, MNRF weigh in on fire season

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout Municipal Emergency Services Manager/Fire Chief Jeremy Funk says the Municipality is concerned about this year’s fire season, which officially got underway on April 1.
“As conditions are extremely dry and if nothing changes it will be a potentially challenging fire season,” Funk said.
Just this past week members of the Sioux Lookout Fire Department executed a controlled burn of dead grass and brush in the area of the First Ave spring and also the west end of Front Street to reduce the potential fire hazard in those areas.
“The Municipality of Sioux Lookout (through the Manager of Emergency Services/Fire Chief) has been in contact with Sioux Lookout MNRF senior staff, with regards to the upcoming season forecast, conditions, and ways in which each organization can best support the other. We have had several discussions about operations this year,” Funk informed. “The Municipal fire service will be taking part in spring training with the MNRF to better understand the capabilities and needs of each organization. We (the municipal fire service) have a history of working with and being able to operate with the MNRF when a fire event requires both services,” he added.
Funk informed, “If conditions do not drastically improve, we will likely be in a Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ) earlier than most years.” He continued, “If there is an RFZ put in place regionally by the MNRF it will be posted on the fire conditions signs at the MNRF base, the travel information center as well as posters all over town at local businesses and public spaces. The RFZ messaging will be further amplified by the Municipality through our social media avenues, website, and buildings.”
As residents in the Municipality are cleaning up their properties this spring, Funk reminds that, “Burning or fire permits are required year-round,” He clarified, “The confusion is that daytime burning is only permitted from November 1st to March 31st. Other burning permit restrictions are as follows:

• The permit is only valid between two hours before sunset and two hours after sunrise local time on any day.
  
• The permit holder shall be present at the site of the burning conducted under the permit.
  
• The permit holder shall have the permit at the site of the burning and shall produce and show it to any officer whenever requested by the officer.
  
• The permit holder assumes all responsibility for the burning operation conducted under the permit.
  
• Supervision and suppression requirements: Supervision at all times with equipment and persons available to extinguish fire at any time.
  
• No burning if the winds exceed 10 km/hr.
  

This information is printed on the front of the burning permit and is available on the municipal web site https://www.siouxlookout.ca/en/our-community/fire-permits.aspx 

“As always, we encourage residents to operate with the utmost care and caution when having open air fires. Be extremely aware of conditions and never leave a fire unattended. There is a plethora of public safety messaging out there from the MNRF, the Municipality and the Office of the Fire Marshal. If you have specific questions or concerns feel free to contact the municipal fire service at 807-737-2564,” Funk informed. He added, “It is our hope that we can manage responsible fire use through education and awareness rather than enforcement, however given the conditions and increased risk for adverse fire events this season, the Municipality will be treating any and all open air burning related issues as potentially severe and will respond accordingly.
Alison Bezubiak, Fire Information Officer - Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) shared, “As of early Friday afternoon, the wildland fire hazard ranges from low to high across the Northwest Region with a predominantly high hazard across the southwestern side of the Region. The southern reaches of the Sioux Lookout sector are showing a mainly high hazard where snow cover has receded, but snow cover remains across much of the northern half of the sector. 
“At this time there is one active wildland fire in the Northwest Region, located in the Fort Frances sector. There have been no wildland fires reported in the Sioux Lookout sector to date in 2024.”
She noted, “Predicting the course of the fire season is challenging since long-term weather forecasts can be unreliable. Weather plays a significant role in determining the frequency and severity of wildland fires. Current and forecasted wildland fire conditions are being continuously and carefully monitored to ensure sufficient resources will be available to respond to wildland fires.”
Bezubiak shared, “Our ministry is committed to maintaining public safety, protecting private property and critical infrastructure. Our response to wildland fires has been and will continue to evolve as needed to keep people safe and to protect our communities. Every wildland fire is assessed and receives an appropriate response according to the circumstances and condition of the fire. This means wildland fires that are an immediate threat to high-priority values, such as communities or infrastructure, will be responded to as quickly as possible to minimize damages and disruption. The ministry continues to monitor weather conditions, forecasted weather and the wildland fire hazard.”  
She noted, “Ontario has a sophisticated response and operations system that allows us to position and move resources across the province as needed to respond to wildland fires in a timely and efficient manner. These resources consist of fire crews, helicopters, water bombers, support personnel, and equipment.
“Ontario FireRangers are actively working on refreshing their training and sharpening their skills in preparation for spring and summer fires. Our crews are currently completing mandatory health and safety training, as well as various types of skills training such as hover exit, sling training and chainsaw certification.
“Other members of our staff are continuing to promote wildland fire prevention and mitigation to our municipal and community partners, cottage associations and other groups.”
Asked about FireRanger staffing levels for this fire season, Bezubiak informed, “Applications to become an Ontario FireRanger were accepted from November 1 to April 15. Currently, the Ministry has filled 632 of fire crew positions (approximately 90% of total positions filled) which equates to approximately 142 fire crews, which is well within our recruitment range. Hiring and onboarding will continue to occur throughout April and into May.  This is based on an average of a 5-person crew which is being used this year by most Fire Management Headquarters to maximize the number of FireRangers hired. This action is also intended to build future candidates for crew leader positions and other roles within the fire program. We operate our crews as provincial resources and move them throughout the fire season to where they are needed. In order to maximize the number of crews we can fill we are hiring crews wherever there is capacity such as qualified crew supervisors and facilities to support them. That means if a location is unable to hire people to form crews in those areas we will look to other centres where they can hire above complement and form more crews to fill those gaps as best we can. Some Fire Management Headquarters are maintaining the typical 4-person crew model due to the capacity of their facilities. The ministry is committed to the health and safety to all of our staff including FireRangers. Staff receive training and managers, aviation and dedicated health and safety staff continually monitor and provide guidance to our managers.”
She shared, “The Ministry also has mutual aid partnerships with municipalities, and other Wildland Fire Management agencies across Canada, and with other countries. These agreements can supply additional personnel and equipment as needed to support wildland fire response in Ontario. In addition, up to 320 additional firefighting personnel may be available from private contractors.”
Bezubiak further shared, “Although it’s difficult to predict the onset of actual weather patterns throughout the spring, we can safely say that the highest hazard occurs once the snow has melted, exposing the ground and last year’s dry and dead vegetation to wind and solar radiation. Once the snow has melted and until so far as green-up occurs, this is when the highest potential for spring fires exists. As residents are working on cleaning up their properties in the spring, fires will typically occur where people live, work, or recreate so residents must take the necessary precautions to prevent unwanted wildland fires that could harm people or damage property.
“In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage residents to use methods such as composting or disposing at a local landfill. If you must burn, ensure that you are waiting for the coolest time of day and always have the tools at hand to keep your fire under control. Always supervise any outdoor fire and ensure it is out and cool to the touch before leaving the area.” 
She continued, “With spring upon us, it’s a great time for Ontarians to make efforts to FireSmart their properties. Every year, people and property in Ontario are threatened by wildland fires. Many of these fires occur in wildland-urban interface zones. These are the areas where homes, cottages and communities are built into the forest landscape.
The best way to be prepared for a fire is to manage the vegetation around your home:

• create a non-combustible zone up to 1.5 metres from your home
  
• reduce shrubs, evergreen trees and dead material within 10 metres of buildings
• thin and prune trees within 10-30 metres of your home
  
• ensure power lines are clear of tree limbs
• grow fire-resistant plants

Find tips on how to protect your home and property from wildland fires at Ontario.ca/firesmart.”
She said that during the summer season, Ontario experiences an average of at least one wildfire every day caused by an unextinguished or unattended campfire. “If you are planning to have a campfire, keep the fire small and contained, and never leave it unsupervised. Ensure the site is cleared of needles, grasses, leaves, and twigs and remove any overhanging branches. Always have water and tools nearby to keep your fire under control. When putting out your campfire, soak the fire with plenty of water and stir the ashes with a stick. Repeat this process until the ashes are cold. For more information, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention.”
Bezubiak concluded, “Fire season officially started on April 1. AFFES (Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services) reminds people that are located within the Ontario fire region that there is no daytime burning of yard debris during the fire season, consistent with the Forest Fire Prevention Act of Ontario.
“Fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and are to be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Remember that you should never light a fire when it’s windy. A fire is more likely to get out of control under dry or windy conditions. To learn the full set of rules for safe outdoor burning visit Ontario.ca/OutdoorFireRules.  
“To stay up to date on the current forest fire situation in Ontario, including current fire hazard and restrictions, please visit: Ontario.ca/forestfires or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X at @ONforestfires. There, you’ll find forest fire updates, job postings, and tips on how to prevent wildland fires.”