The fire danger rating across Muskoka has increased to extreme.
According to Kevin Plested, Director of Emergency Services and Fire Chief with the Town of Bracebridge, the extreme fire danger rating means there are no exemptions for open fires.
“No fires. That’s putting it basically. Not even for cooking or warmth, because there’s sometimes that misconception that cooking and warmth is exempt. There is no fires of any kind, no fireworks,” said Plested.
Plested said barbecues are still permitted, including natural gas and propane units, because they have shut-off controls. However, he said open-air burning, including wood fires that produce flames, is not allowed.
He said they will continue monitoring the weather conditions, as they do not want to have a fire ban in place for a long time, and added that significant rain will be needed to lift the fire ban.
