Dry Weather Raises Fire Threat in Southwestern Ontario

A long period of warm and dry weather has led to a higher risk of wildfires in the London area and throughout southwestern Ontario, as indicated by a federal fire danger map.

The region hasn’t had significant rainfall for at least 11 days and has seen consecutive days filled with clear, sunny skies and low humidity.

Because of this, southwestern Ontario has been classified as having a high fire danger for several days, reaching extreme levels on Thursday and Friday, according to a map from the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System, or CWFIS.

This map serves as a general guide on how easily fires might ignite in forested areas, how quickly they could spread, and how difficult they may be to control, according to Natural Resources Canada.

l forest fires are already active in the province, including ones west of Sudbury and south of Timmins. One fire has led to the evacuation of Mattagami First Nation, while another fire in northern Ontario has caused residents of Weenusk First Nation to evacuate.

“I think the danger is there for any sort of forested area,” said Liam Buchart of the Canadian Forest Service.

“In southwest Ontario, there’s a lot of farm land.. so that helps to mitigate some of the risk in those areas. (In) those more unmanaged forest areas, it’s pretty similar, but it is that combination of the land cover that changes things quite a bit.”

The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System map from Natural Resources Canada, issued at 2:07 p. m. ET, showing a high to extreme fire danger forecast for Thursday for southwestern Ontario and beyond. (Natural Resources Canada)

Southern Ontario has been under an area of high pressure for over a week now, leading to these current conditions. Buchart mentions that while it can get very hot in summer here, it’s unusual to see such low humidity right now.

Rain is predicted for Saturday which should lower the region’s fire risk back down to low levels based on CWFIS forecasts.

“The scientific consensus on climate change and wildfires is really that climate change is driving weather patterns that are conducive to higher fire danger,” Buchart said.

“To say the same thing is going to occur over southern Ontario; it’s certainly possible-and more likely. I think we will experience more days like this in the future where you have these hot and dry conditions.”

Officials from the London Fire Department are monitoring the heightened fire risk closely-especially concerning brush fires and open-air burning in backyards.

“Generally speaking we’ve been quite fortunate not experiencing any major fires like that here. However if we do respond to them it might be along highways or perhaps out in fields,” noted Deputy Fire Chief Matt Hepditch.

“There are times when some fires can start from discarded cigarettes. If you’re smoking outside don’t toss your cigarette butt on grass or mulch or drop it between deck slats.”

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Under city regulations regarding open-air burning; larger fires need permits while yard waste cannot be burned-only commercially produced charcoal or clean seasoned wood may be used.

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Residents must always supervise any open-air fires they have going; they also need means available for extinguishing them ready at hand while ensuring they don’t create nuisances before putting them out completely before leaving.

Hepditch mentioned concerns about wildfire risks have increased during his two decades with the service noting it’s something their department keeps “very much aware” about overall.

The department hosts public education events all summer long as well regularly shares information about fire safety through social media platforms he added along with other resources available via City Of London’s website.

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