Madawaska Valley Fire Department reports recent call-outs which indicate a need to remind residents that there is a Total Fire Ban imposed in Ontario. MV Fire Chief Corwin Quade advises that MV Township is within the Restricted Fire Zone and that NO fires of any kind are permitted during a Total Fire Ban, including propane appliances. These restricted fire zones are issued by the MNRF and enforced by Conservation Officers, Fire Chiefs, and OPP. A few weeks ago when the ban was imposed, Quade told The Current, “Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are trying to prevent fire fighters from being called to totally preventable fires. Now with saying this, fires and emergencies still happen. [MV] fire fighters will respond when dispatched — no matter what. The public does not have to worry, we will respond. I would like to thank the public for respecting the fire fighters by obeying this ban.”
On Thursday, April 23 MV Fire Department South Hall responded to a call about someone burning garbage at Amy’s Place. When firefighters arrived, there was no one outside; however, they observed garbage burning in a stove in the backyard of one of the residences. The firefighters extinguished the fire. This incident remains under investigation.
On Saturday, April 25 MV Fire Department North Hall responded to a call off Siberia Road where a fire burnt just over an acre of grass and brush. Three trucks (one rescue, one pumper, one tanker) from the North Hall attended the scene along with 15 firefighters. MV South Hall also responded; they were stood down en route as the fire was under control. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the property owner was extinguishing the fire. The owner stated he looked outside and saw the back yard was on fire. The owner had no idea how it started.
On Friday, April 24 MV Fire Department responded to a different type of call at Yuill’s ValuMart in Barry’s Bay. Firefighters found a small gasoline leak from a vehicle and succeeded in cleaning up the fuel without risk to public or the store premises.
Dispose of brush without burning
To avoid burning this material MV Township has set up two FREE brush-tipping drop off locations. This will be in place until June 30, 2020.
- Site #1 is located at Yard 2, 39844 Combermere Road. Sign will be posted internally directing individuals to drop off site.
- Site#2 is at the Bark Lake Waste disposal site, 21956 Highway 60, 12 km. west of Barry’s Bay. Location is accessible through normal open hours.
