I have been asked by several people if the municipal fire ban is still in place and whether the fire works will proceed on July 1, The short answer is No and Yes. No, the fire ban has been lifted for Westport and Rideau Lakes and Yes, the fireworks will be spectaular at the Legion tomorrow night.

These decisions are fully within the authority of the Fire Chief or designate. I asked Andy Moore, Community Safety Coordinator/Alt. CEMC and Provincial Offences Officer for Township of Rideau Lakes/Rideau Lakes Fire & Rescue to comment. Here is Andy’s brief:

“The biggest confusion and cause for misunderstanding stems from the “Provincial Fire Ban” that is being implemented by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) does not mean a fire ban for the entire province. Only municipalities that are included in the “Restricted Fire Zone” are part of the provincial fire ban (see the link below; the purple hatched area is the Restricted Fire Zone boundary). As the image shows, the Township of Rideau Lakes and the Village of Westport are located outside of the restricted fire zone.

https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM/

Municipalities included within the restricted fire zone are forced to have a total fire ban until the MNRF/Provincial Government lifts the provincial ban. Since we are located outside of the restricted fire zone, the Fire Chief/designate can choose whether or not to implement a fire ban. We lifted the burn ban due to the amount of precipitation we received over the past week and will continue to monitor conditions and the forecast. Should conditions worsen due to a lack of precipitation, then we will reinstate the burn ban.

With respect to Fireworks, they are still permitted within the Restricted Fire Zone provided that they are set off 300 meters away from any forest or treed area. Since Westport/Rideau Lakes is again not within the Restricted Fire Zone and we do not have a burn ban, fireworks are permitted to be used this Canada Day.” Andy Moore, Community Safety Coordinator/Alt. CEMC and Provincial Offences Officer for Township of Rideau Lakes/Rideau Lakes Fire & Rescue.

Thank you for this important information Andy.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Canada Day. The community volunteers have been working for many months to bring a variety of family fun events to the Village and North Leeds. From the Library sponsored breakfast ( 08:00 – 10:30 ) on Spring St, the announcement of this year’s Senior of the Year by the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (09:30), the “big reveal” by the Westport Arts Council of this years 6 one-of-a-kind hand painted Muskoka Chairs (10:00), full afternoon of fun and swimming at the Lions’ Beach and fireworks at dusk at the Legion. And don’t miss the famous Westport Canada Day bike parade (2:00 pm starting at St Edwards parking lot off Bedford St). It is one of the best parades you will ever watch.

Thank you volunteers. Have fun everyone! Happy Canada Day!