A fire blew through the fields of Erin on April 12. The fire began at the Elora/Cataract Rail Trail and travelled northeast, consuming about 30 acres of grass and bush before firefighters got the flames under control at Moonshine Mountain.
It took about 40 firefighters approximately three hours to get the blaze under control with 13 fire trucks and three all-terrain vehicles from Erin, Hillsburgh and Guelph-Eramosa fire stations, said Erin Fire Chief Dan Callaghan in an email. The smoke could be seen from several kilometres away as the fire travelled up a steep hilly area full of pine trees.
“The cause is unknown, but it could be vandalism or improperly discarded smokers materials,” Callaghan said. He also reported that there was no damage and there were no injuries.
Follow burning guidelines
Callaghan urged citizens to burn under the guidelines of their burn permits as well as use their common sense to not burn when grass is dry and the conditions are windy.
“If burning without a permit the fire starter and/or property owner could be responsible for all cost associated with the extinguishment of the out of control fire,” Callaghan said. “This could be into the thousands of dollars.”
As of April 13 this grass fire was the third in three days in Erin, Callaghan said.
Connie Cox, executive assistant for the Town of Erin, sent out an email encouraging citizens to exercise caution when burning.
“Although our land may still be wet, the dead grass on top ignites easily and fire spreads in seconds,” she said.
Burn permits are now available from the town and cost $20 for the calendar year.
