While the lower Ottawa River Basin is reaching its peak recently with a risk of low level flooding in Ottawa and Gatineau, the fire risk in the Madawaska Valley was rated as moderate to high on April 29, 2025.
Strong winds were partly to blame for a grass fire that consumed several acres along highway 60 opposite the McCarthy Propane storage facility. Above: Burnt cattail wetlands. (Photo submitted.) The area burnt involved an extensive cattail wetland and scorched several hydro poles melting the line casing; a home within the path of the flames was spared. Fire risk can vary from day to day with a “moderate to high risk” defined as a creeping ground fire with intermittent crown involvement where ground crews may benefit from heavy equipment to control a fire’s spread.
One of several scorched hydro poles. (Photo submitted)
KHR Fire Chief Bob Gareau was unavailable for comment on the fire’s specifics. But in Madawaska Valley several similar ground fires occurred recently. On May 2nd MV Township posted a Facebook notice: “It may seem like it was just winter yesterday, but we’re in wildfire season. The Madawaska Valley Fire Department has responded to six wildfires in the past ten days alone, which included three started by people (like the one pictured below, that burned for 1.25 acres).” The post ended with a plea to members of the public to help prevent wildfires this season.
Valley residents are advised to take extra precaution and respect municipal fire ban advisories. This incident could have been catastrophic had the flames crossed the highway near Lisk Road.
Editor’s Note: To assist residents in disposing of brush and reduce risk of wildfires, Madawaska Valley accepts brush dropped off at Municipal Yard #2, 398444 Combermere Road, Combermere and at Bark Lake Waste Disposal Site, 21956 Hwy.60, Barry’s Bay. There is no fee for this service. Please follow on-site signage.