(Submitted by Garth Wintle to CKDR)
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is closely monitoring a growing potential for human-caused fires in the Northwest Region.
Officials are urging residents to burn safely, or ideally, not at all.
“Recent examples of fast-spreading grass fires in areas near residential zones (wildland/urban interface) in Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances illustrate the need for extreme caution with all forms of outdoor burning,” said Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services, Fire Information Officer Chris Marchand. “Spring yard cleanup is on the minds of many people this time of year. However, in this volatile period for spring fires, we encourage residents to save their burn piles for the fall, or consider alternatives to burning like chipping, composting or using the local landfill.”