By Emily Stonehouse

We all saw it coming.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, the four fire chiefs from across Haliburton County officially announced a total fire ban. “The ban is being implemented through a joint decision of the County’s four Chief Fire Officials due to ongoing hot and dry weather,” reads the statement presented last week.

“Hopefully over the course of the next week or so, we’ll start to get some rain,” said Minden Hills fire chief, Don Kruger. “We need at least one solid day of rain.”

The hot and dry weather that’s graced the Haliburton Highlands for the majority of the summer has played a role in the safety and security of fire usage. While Kruger noted that he has not received any wildfire calls in Minden Hills, he noted that Highlands East and Dysart have received a few.

“We take those calls into consideration,” said Kruger. “We’ve mostly been getting phone calls about how we haven’t had a ban until now.”

Kruger noted that historically, the fire departments receive complaints around the fire ban when it’s put in place, not the other way around. “People have been calling and telling us their lawns are burnt, asking why we haven’t had a fire ban yet.”

And while individual properties may seem scorched, Kruger noted that they have to take the entirety of the region into consideration when making these calls.

There are a number of factors that push through a total fire ban. One is based on information received from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Kruger noted that the MNRF provides daily updates from around the region, and is able to equate risks versus rewards for fire usage.

Another factor is the number of calls the departments receive locally about fires. While locals and cottagers alike seem to be cognizant of the brittle landscape, fire calls are continuing to roll in where open fires are concerned. A total fire ban would mitigate these calls. “No outdoor burning any time of day or night,” reads the press release. “Bonfires, fireworks, torches and the lighting of charcoal barbecues, as well as any other light sources that use an open flame, are prohibited. Cooking fires are also prohibited.”

Haliburton County is not alone when it comes to a dry summer. Wildfires are raging across varying parts of the country, with Nova Scotia recently implementing regulations prohibiting hiking and camping in the woods in an effort to quell the ongoing fire risk. “I think it would have to be pretty bad to do that here,” said Kruger. “If we get a good, prolonged period of rain, that would green things up here.”

At the time of press, a number of wildfires are active in neighbouring communities, primarily in the City of Kawartha Lakes. One fire along Burnt River has had crews working on it since Friday, Aug. 9, with 27 hectares actively burning. Aerial water support, including water bombers, continue to be at the scene. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid the Burnt River area. Fire crews and police are requesting that residents not fly drones in the area, and avoid non-essential travel.

It was noted that going against the fire ban would result in hefty fines, though propane and gas barbecues may continue to be used. While Kruger noted that there have been patches of rain in recent weeks, the downpour has been too drastic to properly soak into the soil, resulting in a continued dry spell.

The four fire chiefs will meet at least once a week while the fire ban is in place, in an effort to provide the communities with up-to-date information. As of publication, the ban was extended to Friday, Aug. 15.