Dry conditions in Muskoka spark concern
The fire danger rating in Muskoka is set to high, with officials warning residents and visitors the dry conditions can cause a small fire to spread rapidly.
"Dry grass and leaves can ignite easily from something as small as an improperly discarded cigarette butt," Muskoka Association of Fire Chiefs stated in a release today, noting how it only takes minutes for a spark to grow out of control.
Different municipalities have different rules for each rating, but in cottage country are asking residents to avoid any unnecessary burning.
Fire officials say it's important to do your part to "reduce the risk."
"Just be really cautious with what you're doing. If you had a pile of brush that you wanted to put in your burn barrel and you thought, 'I'm going to burn it this weekend.' If you don't need to burn it this weekend, wait until we drop down to a moderate or low," said Gravenhurst Fire Chief Jared Cayley.
The fire chief said one of the most common mistakes he's seen throughout his career is people thinking they can extinguish a fire themselves or hesitating to call for help.
He advises calling 911 immediately if something goes wrong with a fire so crews can tackle it before things get out of control.
The Muskoka fire season runs from April to the end of October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ministers Joly, LeBlanc travel to Florida to meet with Trump's team
Two members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet will be in Palm Beach, Fla., Friday to meet with members of Donald Trump's team.
India alleges widespread trafficking of international students through Canada to U.S.
Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two 'entities' in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border.
Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' dies after falling from moving vehicle
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor who appeared in 'Baby Driver,' died last week after falling from a moving vehicle in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, according to CNN affiliate WVTM.
Pizza deliverer in Florida charged with stabbing pregnant woman at motel after tip dispute
A pizza deliverer in central Florida has been charged with pushing her way into a motel room with an accomplice and stabbing a pregnant woman after a dispute over a tip, authorities said.
Unwanted gift card in your stocking? Don't let it go to waste
Gift cards can be a quick and easy present for those who don't know what to buy and offer the recipient a chance to pick out something nice for themselves, but sometimes they can still miss the mark.
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Aviation experts said Thursday that Russian air defence fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Cat food that caused bird-flu death of Oregon pet was distributed in B.C.: officials
Pet food contaminated with bird flu – which killed a house cat in Oregon – was distributed and sold in British Columbia, according to officials south of the border.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.