NORTH WELLINGTON – There is a partial burn ban now in effect in Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North.
“Due to the extreme dry conditions there will be no burning, other than recreational cooking and campfires, until the ban is lifted,” the three fire departments announced in a joint press release on Aug. 11.
“This ban will remain in place until further notice or conditions improve.”
It includes agricultural burns, brush pile burns and any other burning unrelated to recreational cooking or camp fires.
Fines are in place to enforce the ban when required, officials say.
Open air burn permits will no longer be issued, and all current burn permits are no longer valid.
“We thank residents for their patience and cooperation with this matter,” fire officials stated in the release.
People are encouraged to take every precaution to prevent brush and grass fires, including:
- clear all combustible materials such as tree limbs, leaves and other dry materials away from buildings and propane tanks;
- keep barbecue propane tanks at least three metres from buildings;
- store wood piles a safe distance from the house;
- prune trees to create a good vertical separation from the ground;
- clear out accumulated dry or dead debris from properties; and
- dispose of cigarettes safely.
“Carelessly discarded cigarettes continue to be a major cause of grass fires during … dry periods,” officials say.
“Do not throw lit cigarettes out vehicle windows.”
