Get Prepared

Emergencies can happen at any time and without warning. Be ready. With a little preparation, you can respond quickly to help yourself and others. Understand the risks in your area, create a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit.

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Section 2.6 Ontario Fire Code

The above section of the fire code deals with the maintenance of chimneys, flues, and flue pipes. Essentially, the requirements state that chimneys be cleaned regularly and maintained in good working order. When cleaning your chimney, do not forget to clean out any horizontal smoke pipes. They are particularly prone to creosote and soot buildup, which can cause dangerous chimney fires or carbon monoxide emissions.

The Most Common Causes of Home Fires

Cooking – Oil and grease cause the greatest major causes of fires and fastest spreading of any kind of fire.
Kitchen –  Do not leave cooking unattended. Do not wear loose clothing with long sleeves.
Wood Stove – Have your wood stove installed by a qualified installer. Clean chimney, flues and pipes regularly.
Living Room – Screen fire places. Check for embers or fallen cigarettes where smokers have been.
Bedroom – Never smoke in the bedroom.
Basement/Attic – Remove combustibles. Clean your furnace, chimney and flue connections as required.
Garage/Workshop – Properly cover flammable materials and keep clear of ignition sources. Keep your shop free of papers, wood shavings and oil rags as these are combustible.

The following conditions, are acceptable for Open Air Burning under Section 2.6.3.4 of the Ontario Fire Code:

Burning of piled wood, brush, or discarded wood by-products is allowed if:

• the fire is tended by a responsible person until out,
• the pile is less than 2 metres (6’6″) in diameter and less than 2 metres (6’6″) high,
• the fire is not ignited before 6:00 p.m. and is extinguished before 10:00 a.m.
• the fire is at least 2 metres (6’6″) away from any flammable materials, and,
• the person has adequate tools and water to contain the fire.

Burning of grass and leaves is allowed if:

• the fire is tended by a responsible person until out,
• the area to be burned is less than 1 ha (2.5 acres),
• the length of flaming edge is less than 30 metres (100′),
• the fire is not ignited before 6:00 p.m. and is extinguished before 10:00 a.m.
• the person has adequate tools and water to contain the fire.

Burning in incinerators is allowed provided they are:

• enclosed devices,
• at least 5 metres (16.5′) from any forest,
• at least 2 metres (6’6″) from flammable material,
• covered by mesh less than 5 millimetres (1/4″) in size, and
• a responsible person monitors the fire until out.

These conditions are in effect from April 1st to October 31st of each year.

If extreme fire hazzard conditions exist, these fires will not be allowed.

Failure to comply with the above conditions may lead to charges being laid under the Ontario Fire Code.

By Order of
Fire Chief
Township of McKellar

The McKellar Volunteer Fire Department would like to have you as a Volunteer!  If you are interested, please contact Fire Chief at 705-774-8010 or apply by fax at 705-389-9633.

The McKellar Volunteer Fire Department would be pleased to accept donations.  Please make cheques payable to the “McKellar Firefighters Association”.

Thank you for your support!

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