Fire bans in effect as Kawartha Lakes region dries out

City of Kawartha Lakes firefighters have been busy putting out half a dozen grass fires in the region during the past week.

Deputy Fire Chief Terry Jones describes them as “major,” and attributes the situation to dry conditions and fields of dead grass throughout the region.

It’s prompted the municipality to join Cramhae and Brighton townships in issuing a burn ban, prohibiting residents from burning garbage and debris or having campfires on the property.

While springtime burn bans are nothing new, Jones acknowledged that this one is in place a little earlier this year.

“I know from previous experience, Easter has been one of our worst and busiest times for grass fires — hopefully, that will alleviate some of it,” Jones said.

But campfires and garbage fires aren’t the department’s only concern.

“Discarded cigarettes are probably one of the worst, one of the main causes,” Jones said. “Just people driving down the road, tossing their cigarettes out the window.”

Jones said it’s likely two of the six grass fires that firefighters have fought was caused by someone carelessly disposing of his or her cigarette.

While rain is in the forecast for the weekend, Jones said the burn ban will be in place for at least two weeks.