Wildfire lasts nearly three full days in Central Frontenac

Central Frontenac Fire and Rescue (CFFR) and the Ministry of Natural Resources worked together over three days to control and end a wildfire in Central Frontenac.

A resident called CFFR to report smoke coming from the wooded area in the southern portion of Arden Road at about 5:25 p.m. on Thursday, Jul. 12, 2018. At the same time, CFFR received a phone call from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry letting them know an airplane had reported a fire in the area of Arden Road and Pitt Road. The wildfire was located in the remote area east of Arden Road, near the Stone Mills Township boundary, according to a report from CFFR.

The size of the fire, the remote location, and the very hot and dry conditions prompted CFFR to request assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources.  The fire was approximately 2.5 hectares in an area with large hills with heavy brush and is heavily treed.

After CFFR firefighters were on the scene for three days, the fire was declared stopped on Saturday, Jul. 14 at 11:30 a.m. The cause of the fire was lightening striking a tree, however, CFFR would like to remind residents that the wild fire hazard rating for Central Frontenac is currently ‘extreme,’ and that there is a level two burning ban in place throughout the township. To find out more about burn ban levels in Central Frontenac and what they mean, go to www.centralfrontenac.com/BurnBan.html. Burn ban notices and notices of when they are lifted can be found at www.centralfrontenac.com/ on the main page for the township.

“This fire ban has been put in place as a preventative measure due to current conditions and response from a recent wild fire caused by lightening. The ban is to reduce the incidence of a large grass or brush fire which may place properties at high risk of loss, and be dangerous to firefighters and residents,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jamie Riddell in a notice from Central Frontenac Township.

“A small grass fire can rapidly change to a major incident during periods of extended hot weather and little rain. We encourage all residents to comply with the fire ban and help keep our municipality safe.”