The wildfires in Kawartha Lakes were both considered contained Thursday evening, though the region is still on edge as the blazes continue to burn.Ìý
The Mayor of Kawartha Lakes said city officials were “cautiously optimistic” earlier Thursday, with the containment of one of two large forest fires plaguing the region.Ìý
The Haliburton 19 fire burning in the city’s Burnt River area was upgraded to “being held” by Thursday morning.ÌýAnother fire that started Monday in the Kirkfield area, east of Prospect Road and north of Eldon Station Road, was also upgraded to “being held” Thursday night after burning out of control over 33.5 hectares with seven fire crews battling the flames.Ìý
“Essentially, fire rangers have established a boundary and they’re confident that the fire will not escape that boundary,” said Evan Lizotte, Ministry of Natural Resources fire information officer.Ìý
The Haliburton 19 fire first erupted Saturday, burning out of control at 27 hectares of forest near .Ìý
Fire crews continue to battle the blaze, with five teams of water bombers and fire rangers dedicated to the area.Ìý
A pre-briefing huddle of fire crews at the Kirkfield fire near Kirkfield, Ont., on Wednesday.Ìý
HO / The Canadian PressMayor Doug Elmslie called the containment of Haliburton 19 “good news,” while warning that conditions are still very dry and “one lightning strike away from being right back in the soup again.”
City officials had hoped for progress that was made by Thursday night with the Kirkfield-area fire, but dry conditions and heat warnings posed challenges for fire crews.Ìý
“We were continuing to let the rangers know to take frequent breaks when required and to stay hydrated,†Lizotte said.
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Elmslie told reporters that “the suspicion” is that the Burnt River fire was caused by a lightning strike from an electrical storm last week.
A cause of the Kirkfield fire has yet to be determined, said Lizotte.Ìý
Another fire that erupted last Friday in the Head Lake area involves 4.5 hectares of land, but the status of that blaze has been “under control” for several days.
The Burnt River fire crew at a briefing.Ìý
City of Kawartha LakesThe burn ban that has been instated in Kawartha Lakes and several other municipalities such as Aurora, Newmarket, Vaughan and Markham remains in effect.Ìý
The city is not contemplating any relocations or evacuations of people at this time, Elmslie said, noting the city is still “open for business” but residents and guests are urged to avoid the areas of the fires.
Farmers in the Kirkfield village have moved some livestock due to potential threat from the fire.Ìý
For the next few days, weather conditions and possible lightning strikes will be monitored.Ìý
Several stretches of roads in the region stay closed per the city’s orders, including parts of County Road 49 and Prospect Road.
The mayor reminded residents to keep a 72-hour emergency kit ready for climate-related emergencies.
“Unfortunately, I think there’s more coming in the future, not fewer,” Elmslie said of the emergencies. “We need to be prepared for them as best we can.”
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