Total fire ban issued in Muskoka as fire danger rating is upgraded to extreme
The Muskoka Fire Chiefs have taken decisive action in response to the increasingly dry conditions by elevating the forest fire danger rating from high to extreme on Tuesday.
As a result, a total fire ban has been implemented throughout the District of Muskoka to ensure residents' safety and the surrounding forests' preservation.
Recent incidents of out-of-control grass and brush fires across Muskoka prompted the escalation in the fire danger rating.
Unfortunately, the weather forecast offers no respite, with no significant precipitation expected. Consequently, conditions are projected to worsen, further heightening the risk of fires in the area.
Under the total fire ban, all open-air fires and fireworks are strictly prohibited.
Residents are urged to exercise extra caution when using equipment or tools that generate heat.
Alternative methods should be considered for tasks such as grinding tools and hot works when performed outdoors. Moreover, fire officials say it is crucial to refrain from driving any vehicle through long grass or brush, as the hot exhausts and engines can potentially ignite the dry ground cover.
The public is reminded to never dispose of cigarette and joint butts out a vehicle window, which can rapidly spark a grass or brush fire in dry conditions. Officials recommend disposing of butts in a metal container or water.
Individuals using propane appliances, including barbeques, should exercise additional care and never leave them unattended.
Several factors, including relative humidity, temperature, 24-hour rainfall, and wind direction and speed, determine the fire danger rating.
It's unclear when the fire ban might be lifted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.