Update: Lifted – Fire ban in effect for South Frontenac Township
UPDATE (Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2021)
The total burn ban in place for South Frontenac will be lifted, effective Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021 at 8 a.m.
This means that South Frontenac residents may return to having open air fires, including open air cooking fires, camping fires, and approved incinerator or brush pile fires that are in compliance with the regulations set in the Township’s burning By-law 2012-68.
“I would like to thank the residents of South Frontenac for complying with the ‘Total Fire Ban’ that was put in place on April 9, 2021, for the safety of our community, our properties, and our South Frontenac Fire and Rescue (SFFR) firefighters,” said Fire Chief Darcy Knott, Director of Fire and Emergency Services for the Township. “The combination of wet weather conditions and greening vegetation presents less of a risk for burning than just a few weeks ago.”
The Township is also reminding residents that any infraction of By-law 2012-68 can result in significant financial penalties.
“With the release of the fire ban, I urge residents to reference the current Open Air Burning Bylaw 2012-68, burn only when conditions are appropriate, have adequate means to stop the spread of fire if it becomes out of control, and as always… Think safe and be safe,” Knott explained.
Residents with any questions or concerns contact SFFR at 613-376-3027 ext. 2234, or via email at [email protected].
Original article:
The Township of South Frontenac has put a total burn ban in effect in their region. As of Friday, April 9, 2021 at 8 a.m. the total fire ban is in effect, and will remain until the South Frontenac Fire & Rescue (SFFR) team consider conditions warrant a change.
This decision was made following a significant number of grass and wildland fires over the past few weeks, according to a release from the Township dated Friday, Apr. 9, 2021. The warmer weather combined with dead grass, brush, and wind has resulted in a number of challenging fire suppression situations for the South Frontenac Fire & Rescue team, they said.
A total burn ban means absolutely no open air burning, including cooking fires, brush fires, camping fires, and fireworks as defined in By-law 2012-68. This ban does not apply to cooking appliances with a mechanical shutoff (such as a propane barbeque.)
Any infraction of this By-law will result in financial penalties associated with the cost of emergency response and enforcement, according to the release. Fees are outlined in the Township’s Burning By-law No. 2012-68 and range from $75 for a basic response and investigation of a complaint, to $410 per vehicle plus firefighter wages for larger responses. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact SFFR at 613-376-3027 ext. 2234, or via email at [email protected].
SFFR personnel will continue to review this situation and consider changes to the ban if conditions warrant. The Township said there is no desire to have the ban in place for any longer than necessary – the goal is to protect persons, property, and to reduce excess costs to Township ratepayers.
Your cooperation will help protect citizens and property, and is sincerely appreciated, the Township said in the release.