April is almost here and that means a ban on daytime burning will be in effect.
Fire departments in our region have an open air burning ban from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, from April 1 to October 31st.
Bancroft Fire Deputy Chief Matt Musclow explains why it’s important to start the ban early in the spring.
“This year, we still have a foot of snow in the bush, but next year we could have really dry conditions,” he says. “ When the snow finally melts, everything is dead still. When it’s dead and hasn’t had a chance to green up, there’s an elevated risk of fire.”
He adds that there’s less risk once there’s more green in the vegetation, as there’s more moisture then.
Those who need to burn within the next seven months can apply for a permit to do so; but there are dry times in the season when an all-out ban is in place.
Musclow encourages people to watch for social media posts – and physical signs placed on North Hastings highways – which show the current situation.
