The 2007 fire season got off to a cold and wet start April 1, but the Ministry of Natural Resources is warning the public not to let its guard down and be aware that burning regulations are now in effect.
“Because of the rain and snow, the fire hazard itself is ‘low.’ It’s not a problem,” MNR fire information officer Deb MacLean said Monday.
“Having said that, there’s that prevailing below average amount of rain and snowfall that carried through the winter of 2006 and now into the spring of 2007,” she added.
“So the caution is that every outdoor fire really needs to be properly extinguished, even when it seems like there isn’t any hazard.
“There is potential for the fire to burn down and get imbedded in the organic material below the fire, and smoulder, and perhaps even travel underground as a sort of sub-surface kind of fire and come back up when the conditions turn to more fair weather,” warned MacLean.
“It’s inevitably going to get warmer and drier.”
MacLean said the MNR is watching closely to see how the weather plays out in the near future, and is preparing to deal with potentially difficult scenarios.
“The last little bit of rain and snow has been helpful, but if that clears the way and we have a rapid reduction of snow cover, we’re going to be dealing with a situation in the early spring where we have the dead vegetation from the winter, but not the new green-up yet, so you’ve got flammable grasses and vegetation.
“At the same time, there might still be icy conditions in many areas,” she added.
“Of course, water is the main source of firefighting tools for us, and that could certainly cause delays if crews have to find a water source that’s either ice-free or chop their way through with ice augers or whatever.
“Or in the case of waterbombers, they can start operating from the larger bodies of water that are open in the spring, but it could result in a delay to getting to a fire if they have to fly further distances to make their pick-up and then come back.”
MacLean said the start of the MNR fire season means the Forest Fire Prevention Act is in effect and burning during the day is prohibited right now.
Anyone planning to do large-scale burning in an unorganized area needs a plan and should contact the local MNR.
This is similar to a prescribed burn where those planning the fire must set out the parameters of the fire, determine how it’s going to be managed, and have those details approved by the MNR prior to any burning.
Those living in organized areas should check with their local fire department before burning.
The Frances Fire Department follows the Forest Fire Prevention Act guidelines, in that a town resident cannot light a fire more than two hours before sunset and it must be extinguished within two hours after sunrise.
MacLean reiterated the public should follow the fire regulations as a matter of public safety.
“Our main concern is human-caused fires, particularly in the rural areas, where they have a tradition of burning brush and grass,” she said. “Our most difficult and dangerous fires of the spring are human-caused fires in a populated area.
“They have a potential to spread. They pose a threat not only to themselves and their property, but to that of others,” MacLean stressed.
If that’s not enough motivation, offenders also could be charged, fined, and possibly even have to pay the cost of having to put out the blaze they cause, which MacLean pointed out “could be substantial.”
In related news, MacLean said MNR FireRanger crew leaders and MNR management are undergoing leadership training in preparation for a full complement of crew members to come on board.
These crews should be on the job at the beginning of May.
MNR aircraft and equipment also have been serviced and are ready to go if any fires do break out.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
