Ottawa Fire Services will maintain an open burn ban in the capital until further notice, despite heavy rains expected to begin Wednesday evening. The decision comes after a series of brush fires and burn complaints overwhelmed fire crews.
Burn Ban Remains in Effect
In a social media statement, Ottawa Fire Services emphasized that the ban was not lifted lightly. Since Friday, firefighters have responded to 24 brush fires and 21 burn complaints, many of which started as controlled burns that quickly escalated.
“With wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph and extremely dry conditions due to a lack of precipitation, these fires are spreading fast and unpredictably,” the department explained.
Yellow Alert Issued
Environment Canada issued a yellow alert for the capital region, forecasting 30 to 50 mm of rain. The rain is expected to begin Wednesday afternoon and continue into Thursday, with 5 mm on Wednesday and an additional 30 to 40 mm overnight.
Despite the forecast, Ottawa Fire Services warned that brush fires are resource-intensive and time-consuming. “They are long, labour-intensive incidents that demand a significant number of resources and keep crews tied up for extended periods,” the department stated.
Safety First
The burn ban is about protecting the community, homes, and firefighters. Residents are urged to refrain from any open burning until conditions improve and the ban is lifted.
