In the past week, firefighters have responded to several human-caused wildland fires, many of which could have been prevented. With the Fire Danger Rating now at High, conditions are dry, and new fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and challenge suppression efforts.

“Careless burning, unattended campfires, and improperly discarded smoking materials are some of the leading causes of wildland fires we’re seeing right now,” said Fire Chief Gary Monahan. “We’re asking everyone to do their part, be responsible with fire and take steps to reduce risks around your home.”

Wildfire Prevention Starts with You

One of the best tools available to residents is the FireSmart Canada program, which offers practical steps homeowners can take to protect their properties. Now is the time to clean up leftover yard debris from winter and reduce potential fuel sources that can feed a fire.

Simple actions that make a big difference include:

• Clearing leaves, pine needles, and dead grass from around your home, decks, steps, and fences.
• Removing fallen branches and limbs that came down over the winter.
• Raking and bagging debris at least 1.5 metres away from structures.
• Keeping grass trimmed short and well-watered.
• Trimming tree branches that hang within two metres of your roof or siding.
• Moving firewood and other flammable items at least 10 metres away from your home.

Creating defensible space around your home can significantly slow or even stop the spread of a wildfire. The FireSmart Canada website offers free homeowner guides and checklists designed specifically for communities like ours. Visit firesmartcanada.ca to learn more.

Residents are reminded that daytime burning is not permitted, and all burning must comply with local fire bylaws. Always check the current fire danger rating and ensure conditions are safe before lighting any fire.

For fire safety questions or to report a concern, contact the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department at 705-789-5201 or visit huntsville.ca or lakeofbays.on.ca.

The post Residents Urged To Be Cautious And FireSmart As Wildfire Risk Increases appeared first on Muskoka411.

When you can have fires: from April 1 to October 31 there is NO DAYTIME BURNING. Safe campfires can be enjoyed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

If the Fire Danger Rating is at Extreme, you may not have a fire. Check the Fire Danger Rating at Outdoor Burning – Town of Huntsville or Fire Department | Township of Lake of Bays

What can be burned: clean, dry wood or charcoal/briquettes.

What cannot be burned: construction garbage, treated wood, leaves or garden waste. 

Size of the fire/clearance required:

• Recreational Fire – 2’ x 2’ with 20’ away from buildings or other combustible materials
• Non-Recreational Fire – 6’ x 6’ with 328’ (100m) from buildings or other combustible materials

Other requirements:

• Fire must be completely extinguished before leaving it
• Fire must be always monitored
• A hose, fire extinguisher or tools that can be used to contain or extinguish the fire need to be nearby.

For more information on wildfire awareness, please visit Firesmartcananda.ca. This website has all the information you need to be fire smart around your home and it even has a free training tool that will help you assess your home and your property around it.

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Guest speaker Ken Cox, Fire Advisor for Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, will introduce Huntsville and Lake of Bays residents to the FireSmart program. The presentation will cover Response and Operations, Wildland Fire Effects, how fires start and grow, and how property owners can improve their structures’ chances of surviving a passing wildfire using FireSmart Canada tactics and strategies.

“Just a few years ago, Ontario experienced the highest number of wildfires on record in over 25 years,” stated Steve Markham, Public Education and Fire Prevention Officer for the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department. “This presentation is essential for preparing our community in Huntsville and Lake of Bays for potentially challenging wildfire seasons ahead. By embracing FireSmart principles and making practical changes around our homes and neighbourhoods, we can really make a difference in reducing the risk that wildfires pose to our community.”

All are welcome to attend and learn about being FireSmart.

Additional Presentation on Wildfires Added!

Due to popular demand and requests for an evening session, the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department has scheduled a second date for the FireSmart^TM presentation. This ensures those who couldn’t attend the initial session can still benefit from vital wildfire preparedness information.

Additionally, the presentation will be recorded and made publicly available through the department’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.

Please RSVP by contacting dwight@lakeofbayslibrary.ca or (705) 635-3319.

Second Session Details:

Date: April 25, 2024

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Dwight Public Library (1014 Dwight Beach Rd, Dwight)

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Crews from Station 5, including 11 firefighters and four trucks, attended the scene on Muskoka Road 10. Firefighters were able to put out the flames quickly, but the cause remains undetermined, said HLOB Public Education and Fire Prevention Officer Steve Markham. 

The department doesn’t have a damage estimate since the trailer only contained scrap pieces of aluminum and steel, but they reported no injuries in the blaze. 

The post No Injuries In Port Sydney Trailer Fire On New Year’s Eve appeared first on Muskoka411.

The homeowner told the fire department they smelled smoke before the alarms sounded, so they exited the home and called 911. Fire Chief Gary Monahan said crews from Stations 1 and 3 responded at about 7:30 a.m. and found “heavy fire” on the first floor. Muskoka Road 3 North was closed at Edgeview Place during the fire but reopened when crews left the scene just before 11 a.m.

Authorities are still working to determine the cause and the estimated damage.

The post No Injuries After Attic Fire In Huntsville Tuesday Morning appeared first on Muskoka411.

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire at the rear of the house.

Everyone and their pets made it out of the house.

Witnesses tell Muskoka411 the home was under renovation and work was being done to the roof on Saturday afternoon.

Huntsville OPP closed West Road in the area while crews battled the blaze.

No word on a cause or damage estimate.

An e-mail to the Huntsville / Lake of Bays Fire Department was not returned at the time of this story.

This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they become available.

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North York resident Maggie Chen was travelling up to Algonquin Park on Aug. 30 with her two sons and her friend’s family when they decided to stop at Port Sydney Falls along the way. It was meant to be a quick stopover, but after losing their keys, they ended up sticking around for longer than expected. Meanwhile, cottager Melissa Paiuk took her daughter Katelyn, her son Cole and Cole’s friend Thomas Webber to the falls for a day of late summer fun. The boys brought along a tube in hopes of sliding down the natural chute created by the falls, but they quickly decided that it wouldn’t be safe. 

“When we got there, we felt that the water was really strong, so I said to them just to kind of play at the bottom because I didn’t feel comfortable with them going down from the top,” Melissa said. “There was just too much water.”

Melissa and Katelyn were hanging out on the rocks while the boys put on their life jackets and played at the bottom of the falls. They noticed Chen, her friend and their kids playing at the edge of the water, and when the two boys took a break from their swim, the situation took a turn for the worse.

Chen’s 10-year-old son was in the shallow water when he started getting carried away by the current. Chen went in after him, but between slippery rocks and fast-moving water, she soon lost her balance and found herself floating past him. She was struggling to keep her head above water when Cole and Webber ran over to help. 

They started by throwing Chen a life jacket, but when she disappeared under the surface of the water, Cole swam out to her and handed it directly to her. Since she isn’t a strong swimmer and her clothes were soaked through with the weight of the water, Chen clutched Cole with one hand and the life jacket with the other while they struggled to swim back to shore. 

“I was drowning and suddenly the boy, Cole, [was] just there and held my hand and then he told me, ‘Don’t panic,’” Chen said. “Then he asked me to kick.”

As they tried to swim to safety together, they were carried down the river, so Melissa went into the water and helped Cole pull Chen onto the rocks. Having swallowed a great deal of water, Chen was dizzy and started to throw up. Melissa ran to a nearby cottage and called 911 while Webber swam out to Chen’s son, pulled him onto his back and brought him back onto shore with Katelyn’s help.

“I was scared for Cole and the woman because they were going down the river,” Webber said. “I thought she could have died because she was going underwater and drowning. I am happy I saved the boy and the [woman] was okay.”

Once emergency services arrived, Melissa went to collect Webber and the other kids since they ended up on the opposite side of the river. After that, Chen invited them all into the ambulance with her and thanked them profusely for their help.

“When we were in the ambulance, the woman told me I saved her life and her family. It feels good,” Cole said. “I am very happy everyone is safe.”

Mike Vadlja, fire prevention officer for the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department, said it was fortunate that they were able to perform the rescue successfully, but he urges people to exercise caution when visiting the falls.

“The current at the base of the falls can be very strong and unpredictable at times, especially after some heavy rains and particularly during the spring thaw,” Vadlja said. “It is always recommended that a [personal flotation device] be worn when entering any fast-moving water.”

The peace and beauty of the setting can keep people from realizing the true danger of Port Sydney Falls, Melissa said, and the area has seen its share of incidents. That said, she still can’t believe that two young boys sprang into action the way they did and she’s endlessly proud of them for it.

“They didn’t hesitate to get in the water and help,” Melissa said. “They remained calm and made fast, smart decisions during the rescue. They are heroes.”

Chen and her group didn’t end up making it to Algonquin Park for camping, but the trip, despite being brief, made a profound impression on her. Some of the lingering fear remains, but more than anything, the whole situation reminded her just how valuable life is.

“I cannot express my gratitude to Cole and his mom,” Chen said. “I will never forget that day.” 

The post Nine-Year-Old And 11-Year-Old Rescue Two People At Port Sydney Falls appeared first on Muskoka411.

Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home to make sure they work. Press the button on battery powered or hard-wired alarms; keep it pressed down until you hear the alarm sound. If your alarm has no button, it is outdated and should be replaced. If you have a 10-year sealed battery-operated alarm, there is no need to change the battery. If you test this alarm and it does not work, replace the entire smoke or carbon monoxide alarm immediately to ensure continued protection.

Check the expiry date by looking at the date of manufacture marked on the back of the alarm. All smoke alarms have expiry dates, whether they are battery operated or hard-wired. Smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years from the date of manufacture, not the date of purchase. All carbon monoxide alarms also have expiry dates, which are typically between seven to 10 years.

Change the batteries or backup batteries – depending on the type of alarm – as needed. Batteries in a smoke, carbon monoxide or combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm should be changed every six months. Alarms that are hard-wired into your home’s electrical system have backup batteries that should also be changed every six months.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their jobs and save lives, they need to work. When the clocks change this weekend, remember to install new batteries in all alarms to protect yourself and your family. The Huntsville-Lake of Bays Fire Department also recommends that you test them to ensure they are working and check the expiry dates.” – Larry Brassard, Interim Fire Chief, Huntsville-Lake of Bays Fire Department

Quick facts

• Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and outside of all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
• Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.
• Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code can result in a ticket of $360 or a fine of up to $50,000.

For more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, contact the Huntsville-Lake of Bays Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division at (705)789-5201 press 2, weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm

The post Spring Forward Safely And Test, Check And Change Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms appeared first on Muskoka411.

“Volunteering as a firefighter is a great way to serve your community and truly make a difference,” says Paul Calleja, Training Officer. “Successful applicants will have the opportunity to be apart of a dynamic team that protects the lives, well-being and property of Huntsville and Lake of Bays residents.”

Residents interested in applying are invited to attend an online information session Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 7:00pm on Zoom with the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department. The session will highlight what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter, training expectations, the application process and participant questions. Participants can also submit questions in advance to myhuntsville.ca. The zoom link will be posted on huntsville.ca/JoinFire closer to the date.

For more information about becoming a Huntsville/Lake of Bays volunteer firefighter and to submit your application visit huntsville.ca/JoinFire. Applications are due no later than 4pm on March 4, 2022, so don’t wait and apply today!

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