Burn Ban Lifted After Wind Conditions Improve

Date: March 27, 2023

UPDATE – March 27, 2023:

Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue (PECFR) has officially lifted the municipality-wide burn ban. Fire Chief Chad Brown confirmed that calmer wind conditions now make outdoor burning safe to resume under normal regulations.

Earlier this week, PECFR implemented a full burn ban across Prince Edward County due to hazardous weather conditions. A high wind warning, with gusts exceeding 50 km/h, prompted the restriction as a precaution against the increased risk of fire spread.

The ban applied to all forms of open-air burning, including campfires, burn barrels, chimeneas, brush fires, and yard waste burning. During this period, residents were unable to activate burn permits, as the electronic permitting system was temporarily disabled.

Despite the restrictions, certain appliances were still allowed. Cooking equipment specifically designed for food preparation using charcoal or wood pellets such as barbecues and smokers - remained permitted. Outdoor appliances powered by propane or natural gas were also exempt from the ban.

PECFR advised that the ban would stay in place until weather conditions improved and the fire risk returned to acceptable levels. Residents with questions about burn permits or fire restrictions were encouraged to contact Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue at 613-476-2345 or visit pec.burnpermits.com for updates.

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