The United Townships of Head, Clara & Maria
Mackey, Stonecliffe, Bissett Creek, Deux Rivieres 
Home | What's New
Accessibility | Agenda and Reports | Area Businesses and Amenities  | Building, Zoning & Planning | By-laws | Council & Staff | Disposal Site Information | Emergency Preparedness | Fees and Charges | Financial Information | Fire |  WildFire Reporting | Household Hazardous Waste | Library |  Meetings and Minutes | Newsletters | Other Links | Policies |  | Recycling |
Fire Prevention and Safety Information

REMEMBER: A SMOKE ALARM IS REQUIRED ON EVERY LEVEL OF YOUR HOME AND OUTSIDE OF EVERY SLEEPING AREA. HAVE YOU PUT YOUR NEW ALARMS IN YET? HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR BATTERIES THIS YEAR? HOW OLD ARE YOUR SMOKE ALARMS? SHOULD THEY BE REPLACED?
________________________
IN CASE OF FIRE -During fire season (April 1 to October 31), please call the MNR at 613-732-5541 or 1-800-853-4937. Outside fire season, call the OPP if the smoke is blowing onto a municipal road or highway, for traffic control;and the Renfrew County Paramedics if lives are in danger.
________________________________________________

FIRE PREVENTION

Make sure you and your home are ready for the summer season by doing the following:

  • Prune tree branches to a height of 1 or 2 metres
  • Store fire wood well away from the house
  • Remove trees within 10 metres of house
  • Thin trees (crowns don't touch) at least 30 metres from house
  • Ensure branches are clear of power lines (bury service if possible)
  • Remove brush, mow and water lawn
  • Ensure your 911 sign (civic address) is clearly visible for quick identification
  • Provide an additional emergency exit (if appropriate)
  • Provide a pond or cistern with emergency water supply
  • Utilize only a FireSmart ash pit or burning barrel
  • Ensure driveway is clear of trees to a distance of at least 3 or 4 metres
  • Ensure chimney is installed to code complete with spark arrestor screens
  • All soffit vents and gutters should be screened
  • Porches and balconies should be screened, crawl spaces encloses
  • Position propane tank with valve pointing away from house
  • Build with fire resistant exterior roof and walls
  • Install protective drapes and or shutters on windows to protect interior from radiant heat
Don't Be The Cause of a Wildfire
  • Chimneys - Chimneys should be constructed to meet current Ontario Building Code requirements and should be screened in with appropriate approved spark arrestors;
  • Burn barrels and Ash Pits - For safe disposal of woody debris you should consider chipping and composting or bringing it to a landfill site.  If you must burn, ensure that the burn barrel is at least 5 metres from any forest or woodlands, 2 metres from buildings or other combustible sources and that a 2 metre area around the barrel is cleared to mineral soil.  Burn barrels should have proper ventilation, screens and should never be left unattended.
  • Power Lines and Propane Tanks - Vegetation should be cleared well back from power lines, propane tanks and other fuel supplies.
  • Shovels and rakes - Every home should have shovels, rakes, axes, garden hoses, sprinklers and roof ladders to assist in suppressing wildfires.(compliments of "The Homeowners FireSmart Manual" Province of Ontario Publication)
  • For a copy of this and other safe burning manuals, please stop by the Municipal Office.

"Burning Grass and Debris Safely... (Province of Ontario Publication)
The Risks
If you live in or near a forested area, you have a lot to lose if a forest fire starts near your cottage or home.  Each year in Ontario, dozens of rural residents and cottagers damage forest lands and lose valuable buildings to fires that could have been prevented.  Nearly one third of these fires are caused by careless burning of household debris - over 200 fires per year.  Sometimes burning grass or brush is a necessary alternative to composting or chipping.  Just make sure you know the rules for outdoor fires and follow safe practices when you burn. 

Who Causes Fires In Ontario?
Among forest fires caused by people, an average of over 200 fires each year are caused by rural residents.


Head, Clara & Maria Township residents and ratepayers are eligible to receive a new  SMOKE ALARM free of charge in exchange for one that is more than 5 years old. Please contact the municipal office

 

 Ruth Morin,
Community Fire Safety Officer

Make sure you and your home are ready for each winter season by doing the following:

  • Inspect and clean your chimney;
  • Check stovepipes and all connections;
  • Check for creosote;
  • Install a rain cap;
  • Burn proper wood.

NEVER ASSUME YOUR CHIMNEY IS CLEAN - CHECK IT!


The Laws and Outdoor Fires
If a forest fire results because you have used fire improperly, you could be held responsible for the costs of putting out the fire and for any property damage that occurs.  Regulations describe conditions under which outdoor fires are allowed in Ontario.  If you live in a municipality, check with the local municipal office:" 

You are required to get municipal permission to burn or you may be required to take your debris to an approved disposal site.  (Please see Local Burn permit By-law and additional information on Wildfire Service and Reporting Page)

Campfires, even on your own property, do not require a burn permit providing you are complying with MNR regulations as to the size of the fire and the availability of materials and equipment to extinguish  it.   Campfires on private property are not allowed during  the implementation of a MNR restricted fire zone or a Municipal Fire Ban.





Home | What's New
Accessibility | Agenda and Reports | Area Businesses and Amenities  | Building, Zoning & Planning | By-laws | Council & Staff | Disposal Site Information | Emergency Preparedness | Fees and Charges | Financial Information | Fire |  WildFire Reporting | Household Hazardous Waste | Library |  Meetings and Minutes | Newsletters | Other Links | Policies |  | Recycling |

 

May 2008
 

  
Copyright © 2001-2007 Townships of Head, Clara Maria        

Prepared by: Melinda Reith, Clerk