Ontario cottagers told to stay vigilant as fire danger rating remains high in Muskoka

Ontario cottagers told to stay vigilant as fire danger rating remains high in Muskoka

'We can see how things can get out of control pretty easily,' environment minister says

Own a cottage in Ontario? Here’s how to protect your property from fire risks during dry conditions

Ontario political leaders are urging cottagers in Muskoka not to get complacent about forest fire risks as dry conditions in mid-summer take hold.

Todd McCarthy, Ontario minister of environment, conservation and parks, told reporters at an unrelated news conference Wednesday that property owners in the District of Muskoka should keep fire safety top of mind.

"We can see how things can get out of control pretty easily," McCarthy said.

"We have to have each other's backs, both in responding and in preparing and in preventative maintenance."

For the Township of Muskoka Lakes, the fire danger rating was set to high as of Monday.

The minister said there isn't any immediate concern, but he thinks cottagers should take the usual precautions for a dry season and follow local and municipal rules. The usual precautions include assessing a home for fire risk, managing the vegetation around a home and using fire-resistant building materials.

McCarthy's comments come as forest fires burn across northern Ontario.

Ontario emergency minister's interview cut short after wildfire response questions

There are 146 active wildland fires in northwestern Ontario. Of these fires, 53 are not under control, five are being held, seven are under control and 81 are being observed. The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control and spans more than 318,000 hectares.

There are also 40 active wildland fires in northeastern Ontario. Of these fires, four are not under control, four are under control and 32 are being observed.

Always best to be prepared, Gravenhurst mayor says

Heidi Lorenz, mayor of Gravenhurst, Ont., said preparedness is the always best course of action.

Lorenz recommended that cottagers use the FireSmart Canada website, which contains specific actions that property owners can take to protect their homes, and that they download the Voyent Alert app to stay informed.

Ontario is in the middle of its worst wildfire season, early estimates suggest

Terry Glover, mayor of Township of Lake of Bays, said hosts of short-term rentals should keep their guests informed as well.

"We are really talking to the people that license out those AirBnBs to make sure that they sign things that protect all of us, and that they need to pass that knowledge along to people renting," Glover said.

With the current fire danger rating, the following rules are in place for the township, according to the Muskoka Association of Fire Chiefs:

"Exercise extreme caution with all open flames," the township said in a news release Monday.

"Always have adequate water and tools available to extinguish your fire if needed, and never leave a fire unattended."