Fall fires a concern: MNR

As the leaves change colour and summer turns to fall, now is the time of year when the Ministry of Natural Resources is showing a renewed concern over the possibility of human-caused fires in the bush.
Recreational campfires often are left unattended and become forest fires when campers and hunters mistakenly assume that cooler autumn weather will prevent the spread of fire, MNR fire information officer Deb McLean said Thursday.
She noted that with people closing up their cabins for the season, doing yard clean-ups, and spending time in the bush hunting, there’s a good chance fires will occur—that is, unless those people are cautious.
“Never leave a fire unattended,” stressed McLean, adding that under the Forest Fire Prevention Act, those responsible for fires getting out of control will have to pay a fine, pay for the cost of putting out the fire, or, in the worst case, do time in jail.
But she noted the most compelling reason why people should be cautious with fire is the possible harm they’re putting themselves in, not to mention other people and their property.
McLean said the causes of fires tend to run in a cycle—fires caused by recreational activities are more common in spring when the vegetation hasn’t greened up yet, while in summer, the majority often are caused by lightning and industrial activity (such as logging).
In fall, the main causes tend to once again be recreational and clean-up activities.
McLean reminded the public that the MNR’s fire season doesn’t officially end until Oct. 31. And until then, those burning brush and grass cannot start their fires until two hours before sunset and must extinguish them no later than two hours after sunrise.
Fire managers across the region will continue to monitor the weather conditions and forest fire hazard until the winter brings an end to virtually all forest fire concerns.
Firefighting equipment and aircraft resources also will remain available as the hazard dictates.
Meanwhile, there were no new fires in the West Fire Region over the Labour Day weekend and through Friday morning. There have been 205 fires, charring 1,359.6 ha, since April 1.
The only active fire in the region is a 4.5-ha blaze in Nipigon District. This long-burning, lightning-caused fire is being monitored but not suppressed.