Burnt River blaze rages on

Mayor says have emergency kit ready by the door

Wildfires have been burning across Kawartha Lakes, most notably 27 hectares of forest in the Burnt River area. Several crews have been working to contain the fire, including by air attack.

Crews are making progress however with hot and dry conditions persisting, and with the potential for wind, the situation could worsen. The public is requested to avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles and personnel to access the area.Mayor Doug Elmslie said he hasn’t seen a situation like this in recent memory. Currently all 19 fire stations in Kawartha Lakes are being rotated to combat the flames, as well neighbouring municipalities have agreed to provide support.

Elmslie said he doesn’t anticipate an evacuation order to be called at this time but does urge residents to have an emergency kit ready at the door with an increase in weather related emergencies.

The ice storm in March brought down numerous trees, leaving the forested area thick with debris, making it very difficult for firefighters to get through.

Kristin McCullough lives in Bobcaygeon and has seen firsthand how destructive the fires have been. “I’ve seen the smoke and the flames. I feel sad. Fire is sad and terrifying.”

She’s been advocating for people to do what they can to not only help each other, but to help the animals that have been affected. For those with animals, especially those with farm animals, “it can be an overwhelming task to organize (them) and for many it’s too late and animals suffer, or people can put their lives in danger trying to rescue their animals.”

She says the community has responded by forming volunteer trailers, pastures, and food for animals. “This is amazing and shows how much people care for animals lives as well as getting people to safety.”

While the fires still continue to burn, and the smoke may be a little too close for comfort, McCullough is “grateful to all the firefighters and ministry of natural resources and forestry workers who have been working around the clock to keep the fires from affecting homes and farms in the area…I believe they are doing everything that they can and for that I am grateful.”

For Nick Ivanusevic, his family has owned a cottage in the area for 70 years. “This is the first time we are worried about it as the ground is so dry.”

He and his family left the cottage as the fires became more worrisome for them. “What people don’t understand is that in this heat, the temperature can be life threatening,” Ivanusevic said.

The current burn index for the city is at a complete burn ban, in line with the extreme fire danger rating issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“The fire danger rating shown on roadside signs and MNR’s fire information map is a general indicator of the condition of the forest in an area, how easily a fire could start, and how intense or fast a fire could spread if it started,” said Danya Drouin from MNR.

“Extreme fire danger indicates that forests are extremely dry and in general are highly susceptible to fires starting and spreading.”

This helps the ministry measure how dry wildland fuels are, how easily they could, and if they do, how rapidly and intensely a wildfire could burn.

Now, living in the Lake Kashabog area, Ivanusevic is offering his home up to firefighters. “What they are each personally risking is heroic to say the least.”

His hope is to be able to offer them “a safe spot to rest their head, to regroup themselves, to eat, to clean up, to just be. It’s a tiny token to the risk they are taking to save us.”

Elmslie said a major concern right now is for the wellbeing of first responders on scene. High temperatures mixed with all the gear firefighters carry “it must be really uncomfortable for them, and of course it’s being monitored that they don’t get dehydrated.”

There is currently a complete burn ban in affect across Kawartha Lakes and the city warns there will be zero tolerance for those who go against it.

“It’s been very disappointing because our crews are working during the day, and standing down at night, and then they get a call for a fire because somebody has ignored the ban,” Elmslie said.

Elmslie reminds everyone that 911 is to be used for life threatening emergencies only. Smoke sightings are to be immediately reported to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue at 705-324-2191. Residents and media are also reminded to not operate any drones near active fire areas. It is illegal and poses serious risks to both aerial and ground crews.

Updates on road closures can be found at www.municipal511.ca. Residents are reminded at this time to only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.

While many are changing their vacation plans, Elmslie encourages tourists to still visit the area. “We would welcome people to come at any time. In most of the city it’s business as usual.