From left to right: 2020 harris lake, 2018 forest fire (parry sound #33), 2017 harris lake
Fire System Awareness
It’s probably the last thing we think of when we head to the cottage. We likely assume it’s like the city, 911 and the fire truck will show up. Wrong. In case of fire, nothing happens unless we do it for ourselves. The following facts summarize the reality of our situation.
Fact # 1: It’s All Do-It-Yourself
Use your own fire pump.
Use our HLSMR fire boat or fire pumps. These are on a volunteer-basis, at-your-own-risk. It is wise to familiarize yourself with the equipment and setup. You can request a demo.
Contact Marina and discuss any potential help and coordination.
Fact #2: No Volunteer Firefighters
Neither the Marina nor Cottager’s Association has any volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters only exist within an official fire department charter.
The Marina has no formal responsibility, equipment or mandate for fire fighting. Although the marina has been exceptionally supportive and always willing to help whenever it can, technically it is not their responsibility. In case of fire, contact the marina and discuss potential support.
The Cottager’s association has no fire crew, but it does work on setting up equipment for volunteer-cottager, at-your-own-risk usage.
Fact #3: No Fire Departments
Neither the Britt nor Parry Sound fire departments can help. We are not in their chartered jurisdiction. Hence, they are not permitted to attend our fires. Neither our road-access nor water-access cottages have any coverage from them.
Fact #4: No MNR
A burning cottage is not the Ministry of Natural Resources' responsibility. What the MNR protects is our forests, and only indirectly, in the case of a forest fire does the MNR work on protecting other assets such as cottages. Even then, the MNR works with local folks and equipment to enhance its capabilities.
For instance, during a cottage fire on our lake in 2017, the MNR flew in with fire pumps but only sprayed the forest and trees around the cottage – not the cottage itself - its goal was to prevent a forest fire. Then during the 2018 forest fire PS#33 (nearby areas, luckily not on our lake), the MNR was involved in protecting assets (cottages) from the forest fire.
Fact #5: HLSMR Fire-Fighting assets
The Fire subcommittee is the main organizer of our fire-fighting system. Our charter outlines our guiding principles and activities.
The following system is intended for volunteer-cottager, at-your-own-risk usage. Please note that we encourage property owners to get their own fire pump as response time is critical. Furthermore, the HLSMR equipment is seasonal, and stored during off-season. Many cottagers are here in the shoulder seasons and winter and wouldn’t have access to this equipment.
Fire boat:
Pump: 18HP Forestry Grade - OEM refurbished 2019
Procedure for exhaust-primed pump click here
Boat: 18’ Stanley - donation from Cliff Shaw
Motor: 2021 Suzuki 90hp - sponsorship from Suzuki
Hoses: 2x300’ on board - donations from Britt Fire Dept
Rigging: nozzles, PPE, safety kit. Onboard totes organization.
Mobile Pumps:
Pumps: two 9HP Forestry Grade 2019
Hoses: 300’ each
Inlet: 20’ each
Stored in Fire Hut
Fire Hut:
Storage of 2 mobile pumps
Additional gear
New roofing and foundation 2019
Fire Smart Manual and Fire Safety Checklist
Provided by the ministry of natural resources and forestry
Of all the factors that can affect our environment, a forest fire is often the most feared. Although a common occurrence in natural and well-managed forests, forest fires are one of the last things cottagers want to think about. One of the primary objectives of the Cottagers’ Association is to provide first response fire fighting equipment so that Cottagers present at the onset of a fire can assist with the proper tools and equipment to help mitigate the negative impact of a fire.
Going forward, the Cottagers’ Association has determined that our existing fire fighting equipment is to be checked more regularly, and that it may be beneficial to have demonstrations of the use of our two on lake pump systems yearly following the annual meeting. We hope to have more information posted shortly on our volunteers who will help with the maintenance and demonstration of the equipment to ensure we are as ready as possible in the event of a fire.
The Law
By law, you cannot have an outdoor fire in a Restricted Fire Zone. This includes all grass and debris burning and campfires, even when using an outdoor fire gate, fire place or fire pit.
If you need heat for cooking and warmth, and you’re in a Restricted Fire Zone, you can only use certain equipment (e.g., portable gas or propane stove) if you follow certain rules.
EXCEPTIONS
There are exemptions to the ban on outdoor fires in a Restricted Fire Zone. If strict criteria are met, campfires and charcoal barbecues may be allowed in organized camp grounds or parks.
RESTRICTED ZONE AREAS
Restricted Fire zone / Zone de restriction des feux
Look for and obey the Restricted Fire Zone signs; these highly visible green and orange signs are placed:
along roadways,
at popular camping sites,
in sport lodges, and
in gas stations and stores in the affected area.
Large advertisements also appear in local newspapers, and announcements are made on radio and television stations in the area. These announcements may indicate which areas are restricted by referring to the zone number.
If you need cooking or warmth in a Restricted Fire Zone, you can only use:
Gas or propane stove. You can use a portable liquid fuel or gas stove that can be turned off easily by closing a vale or lid. It must be at least 1 metre away from any flammable material.
Charcoal. You can use a charcoal installation in a restricted zone, only is you are at a location where you own or legally occupy (i.e., rent a cabin) the building if your installation is within 100 metres of the building and at least 1 metre from an flammable material. You must also take care to completely extinguish the fire and safely dispose of all ashes and coals before the installation is moved or left unattended.
Wood burning stove or furnace. You can use an outdoor wood burning stove or furnace, only if you own or legally occupy a building in a restricted zone. Your installation must be within 100 metres of the building, at least 5 metres from an forest area, and at least 2 metres from an flammable material. The installation must also be situated on bare rock, mineral or soil that won't burn and extends 2 metres around the stove or furnace in all directions.
In a Restricted Fire Zone — except in organized campgrounds and parks — you cannot:
have campfires (even in outdoor fire grate, fire place or fire pit)
burn grass or woody debris
use burn barrels
If you don’t own or legally occupy (e.g., rent a cabin) a building in a restricted fire zone, you also cannot use a:
charcoal installation (e.g., barbeque)
wood burning stove
wood burning furnace
SAFETY TIPS
You should exercise extreme caution when travelling in a Restricted Fire Zone. You should:
watch your propane or gas equipment carefully
smoke only when you’re stationary, never while walking or working in the bush
make sure all matches or cigarettes are out before disposing of them
be careful with anything that could start a fire
PENALTIES
Once a Restricted Fire Zone is declared, it is illegal to set a fire for any purpose within the affected area.
Failure to comply could results in:
a fine up to $1,000
3 months in jail
financial responsibility for any costs incurred in fighting a forest fire
REPORT A FIRE IN A RESTRICTED ZONE
Report a fire in a Restricted Fire Zone (except in a campground or park) to your local Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry District Office.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
To learn more about fire restriction zones and law, please read the Forest Fires Prevention Act, which you can find here. You can also access relevant information on fire prevention laws and tips through the links provided below.