Alniwick/Haldimand Township responded to a grass/brush fire off Bull Mills Road, off of County Road 45 at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2018.
The fire was concentrated in the brush area by hydro lines on a steep hill. Long lines of hose were stretched up the hill to gain access to the fire. Other, smaller firetrucks went along a off-road path from another direction to access the fire.
Two people playing with a lighter may have started the fire.
A tool that is used for clearing dirt and debris from around houses is being used on grass fires.
A powerful leaf blower was used at the fire to essentially blow out the grass on the perimeter of the fire.
“The reports I’m getting back is they work excellent,” said Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Chief Mark Diminie.
“In the old days of fighting grass fires you would be using corn brooms. This is sort of the same concept. With a broom you sweep everything into the burned area, where the leaf blower, blows everything back into the burned area.”
Dimine says it all depends on how tall the grass/brush is if it works.
At the incident on Friday, it worked very well.
“If it was just straight grass it would work even better, but if it was a taller, heavier hay where it falls on top of each other, it may not be as effective.”
With burn restrictions in place throughout Northumberland County, Diminie states to check each township to see what the regulations are in place.
The Fire Chiefs of Northumberland County would like to clarify the issue of “Burn Bans” that may or may not be in place.
As of Friday, July 13, 2018, the following two municipalities have complete bans in place;
The Municipality of Brighton
The Township of Cramahe
As of Friday, July 13, 2018, the following municipalities have in place restricted burning;
Township of Alnwick Haldimand
Town of Cobourg
Township of Hamilton
Municipality of Port Hope
Municipality of Trent Hills
Restricted burning means that small contained campfires are allowed but no other open air burning will be approved. ie; no burning brush, no burning grass, no incinerators etc.
The fire services will continue monitoring conditions and will adjust the bans accordingly.
You can monitor conditions yourself at the following website; http://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/interactive-map
For more information, please contact your local fire department.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
