NFN Fire Ban Lifted – Effective May 11, 2020 (Backyard Fires Only)

Press Release

May 11, 2020

With the support of Nipissing First Nation Chief and Council, our Fire Services department is lifting the Fire Ban within Nipissing First Nation boundaries and will be allowing BACKYARD FIRES ONLY for families to enjoy.  Residents may still have Sacred Fires for ceremonial purposes as well.

We must continue to follow the health guidelines that are required to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so we are asking families to abide by Social Distancing rules.  This means not having gatherings in your home or backyard with people who don’t live in your household.

Please follow these fire safety parameters:

• Use extreme caution when having your backyard fire to make sure it does not get out of control.
• Build fires where they will not spread; well away from tents, trailers, dry grass, leaves, overhanging tree branches or any other combustible.
• Keep fires in fire pits that are more than 1 metre (3 feet) high by 1 metre (3 feet) in diameter.
• Use crumpled paper and/or kindling to start a fire rather than using flammable liquids.
• Never build a fire on a windy day. Sparks or embers from the fire could travel quite a distance setting an unintentional fire.
• Don’t burn garbage or any leaves in your fire. The smell is unpleasant for your neighbours, and may attract animals to your yard and neighbourhood.
• Never leave fires unattended. Ensure that a responsible adult is monitoring the fire at all times.
• Keep a garden hose ready and available, and also a shovel around to douse the fire when you’re done. Use caution when applying water to the fire. Once the water has been applied, stir the dampened coals and douse it again with water. As an added precaution, shovel sand or dirt to cover the dampened coals to smother any remaining embers.

Fires for burning grass, leaves, brush and large pieces of wood are STILL NOT ALLOWED at this time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Melvin McLeod, Emergency Services Manager
705-493-6508  |  melvinm@nfn.ca

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