Haldimand County Fire Department Asks For Public Cooperation With Open Air Fire Burning By-Law

With a return to warm weather there has been an increase in the number of recreational and non-recreational fires occurring throughout Haldimand County. So far this year several of the fires have been found to violate Haldimand County’s Open Air Fire Burn By-law. As a result, several Notice of Violations have already been issued.

With the warmer weather upon us and in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Haldimand County Fire Department is asking for the public’s co-operation in complying with these by-laws, which are in place to ensure fires remain safe and controlled.

Recreational fires are allowed in all areas without a permit provided the fire meets all of the regulations set out in By-law 1662-16. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring the fire is contained; that it is set back at least 10 meters from all combustible structures/objects and 4m from any property line; that the fire is supervised at all times and that smoke produced from the recreational fire has no adverse affects. Favourable weather conditions must also be present in order to have a recreational fire: there must be no fog, no air quality alerts, no burn bans & winds must be less than 20 km/hr.

Non-recreational fires are only permitted in rural areas of the County and require a burn permit. Non-recreational fires must meet all of the regulations set out in By-law 1662-16. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring fires are supervised at all times; contained to an area not exceeding 6 meters by 6 meters and is set back at least 60 meters from all combustible structures/objects. Residents who have burn permits may conduct burns as long as they are following the by-laws. No new burn permits are being issued at this time.

Open air fires that are not conducted according to the by-law present potential safety hazards. Anyone found conducting an open air fire without a current permit are subject to enforcement, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and/or extinguish the fire.

The by-law and further information on open air burning can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca.

Fire Chief Reminds Residents To Be Fire Safe During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Haldimand County Fire Department is urging everyone not to forget about fire safety throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As people find themselves spending more time at home for work, self-isolation, or practicing physical distancing, they should remember the importance of preventing home fires.

Along with other essential services, the fire department has had to implement safeguards and physical distancing protocols in the workplace. Residents of Haldimand County are advised of the following changes to fire department services during the COVID-19 pandemic response:

 

  • Haldimand County Fire Department is only responding to critical medical calls during the pandemic, in order to keep our firefighters safe and able to respond to other significant emergencies (ex. fires, MVCs, and rescues).
  • Response times should not be affected, however, Fire Dispatch is required to ask mandatory COVID-19 screening questions to relay to responding firefighters.
  • If residents are concerned about open air fires in their area, they should call 911 and the fire department will respond. If the burn is outside of the regulations of the burn by-law or there is no burn permit, charges could be laid. All other complaints are to be made through the County’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 905-318-5932.
  • All Fire Stations and Headquarters are closed to the public.

Fire Chief Jason Gallagher is also urging the public to remain vigilant in the ongoing battle to prevent unintentional fires and injuries by practicing fire prevention and fire safety during these extraordinary times. “Regardless of the circumstances, additional time at home with family members provides an excellent opportunity to discuss fire safety and review your home fire escape plan,” says Gallagher.

Here are some simple things that people can do to protect themselves and their families:

 

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms using the test button. If the alarm fails to sound, check and replace batteries if necessary. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the alarms.
  • Develop or review your home fire escape plan to make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if a fire occurs. Make sure to designate someone to help older adults, children, and anyone else who may need help to escape.
  • Use care when using and recharging electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, or mobile devices. Check electrical cords and charge cables to ensure they are in good condition. Don’t overload electrical circuits. Avoid placing electronics on soft surfaces like beds or upholstered furniture when recharging to avoid the risk of overheating.

As the Haldimand County Fire Department continues to do their best to keep the community safe under these extraordinary circumstances, it is imperative that the public does all that they can to practice fire safety in the home and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families from the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

For more information about fire safety, contact Haldimand County Fire Department or visit the County’s fire safety website at https://dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/fire-services/.

Flood Watch in effect for Lake Erie shoreline

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Watch for the Lake Erie shoreline. Strong winds and high waves are expected to cause flooding in very low-lying areas along the shoreline beginning Thursday morning and continuing into Friday.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is forecasting sustained strong southwest and west winds ranging from 40 to 50 km/hr, and gusts in excess of 60 km/h Thursday morning continuing into Friday. Forecast models are currently forecasting water levels to remain elevated from Thursday morning until Friday morning.

With the forecasted winds, flooding is expected to impact very low-lying areas of the Lake Erie shoreline and lower reaches of some tributaries. People are urged to use caution or stay away from Lake Erie shoreline areas experiencing strong wave action and elevated water levels. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from these areas.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will be actively monitoring lake conditions. Residents should pay close attention to changing weather conditions and watch for updated flood messages. A flood guide for lakeshore property owners and other emergency preparedness resources can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

This Flood Watch is in effect until noon on Friday, April 10, 2020.

Haldimand County Fire Department Provides Update On Burn Permits During COVID-19 Situation

Haldimand County Fire Department is advising residents that open-air burning may continue while the COVID-19 situation unfolds, as long as a proper permit has been acquired and open-air fire burning by-laws are followed. No new burn permits will be issued until further notice due to the closure of the Haldimand County Administration Building, however, staff are working to develop an online permit application and processing tool.

Residents with non-recreational open-air burn permits are reminded that:

– Burns must be conducted between sunrise and sunset
– Burns must be confined to an area which is at least 60m from any buildings, highway, road or wooded area
– The burn area must not exceed 6m x 6m
– Smoke must not have a negative impact on the visibility of motorists or neighbours
– Favourable weather conditions must be present: no fog, no air quality alerts, no burn bans, winds less than 20 km/hr
– The fire must be attended, controlled and supervised at all times
– The fire must be completely extinguished before the site is vacated

An Open-Air Burn Guide & other fire safety resources are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/fire-services/.

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, municipal service options & other key details, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/.

Flood Warning issued for Lake Erie shoreline, residents advised to avoid unnecessary travel

A Flood Warning has been issued for areas along the Lake Erie shoreline, along the Grand River downstream of Dunnville Dam & Port Maitland. Strong southwesterly winds gusting to near 100 km/h will develop suddenly early this evening as a sharp cold front blasts through, causing high waves and hazardous conditions.

This event is particularly a concern due to the snow currently falling and predicted, as well as the cold temperatures. Visibility could be an issue, as well as icy road conditions, plus ice buildup on homes/cottages along the lakeshore.

“Residents should stay indoors and not travel unless absolutely necessary during this winter storm event,” said Haldimand County Fire Chief & Manager of Emergency Services Jason Gallagher. Gallagher noted that the Port Maitland Pier has been closed and members of the public should stay clear of all shoreline areas. Haldimand County Emergency Services & Public Works Operations crews are standing by to implement road closures and respond as necessary.

The MNRF’s surge model forecast for the eastern end of Lake Erie is indicating a rise in levels of 2.34 metres (7.7 feet) above chart datum of 173.5 m IGLD85 at the gauge in Port Colborne. The peak above critical level is forecast to occur around midnight Sunday morning.

 

The MNRF forecast is predicting the following in the vicinity of Port Maitland:

Lake Erie current elevation at Port Maitland:        174.85 m (IGLD 1985)

Lake Erie estimated to peak at:                               175.84 m (IGLD 1985), excluding waves

Lake Erie Expected time of peak:                           Sunday, January 19 (midnight)

Critical Level:                                                            175.5 m (IGLD 1985)

Forecast (estimated) Peak Lake Level:                  0.34 m above the critical level, excluding waves

Area of Impact:                                                         Zone 2 flood zone along Lake Erie Shoreline

While some uncertainty remains in the height of the Lake Erie surge, forecasts indicate a risk for flooding along the Lake Erie shoreline and Grand River downstream of Dunnville Dam. Waves of up to 1.8 m are expected to accompany this surge event.

This flood message is in effect until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2020 and will be updated as needed.

Information related to flooding hazards and emergency preparedness – including 72-hour emergency kit preparation – is available at https://dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/floods.

Current road closures

– Port Maitland Pier & esplanade closed

Flood Warning for Caledonia, Cayuga & Dunnville terminated

The Grand River Conservation Authority is issuing the following Flood Termination message. All Flood Warnings and Watches issued between January 9 and 13 are now terminated. A Watershed Conditions Statement: Water Safety remains in effect across the watershed through the remainder of the week due to higher than normal river flows.

River flows throughout the Grand River watershed continue to recede following the record rainfall event last weekend. A large amount of debris, including large trees and branches, has been swept into the river system during this event. In addition to the higher than normal flows and extremely cold water temperatures, this debris poses an additional hazard on local waterways.

GRCA’s major reservoirs helped mitigate flooding downstream in the Grand, Conestogo, and Speed River systems during this event, reducing downstream river flows by up to 60%. Water is now being released from these reservoirs, returning them to their normal operating levels for this time of year.

Stay Safe

The public is asked to stay away from all waterways due to the extreme risk at this time and reminded to exercise extreme caution around all water bodies. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and, when combined with current weather conditions, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses.

This message will remain in effect until Sunday January 19, 2020.

Water levels receding, but river will remain high for remainder of week

The Flood Warning remains in effect for low-lying areas along the Grand River shoreline. The river has already peaked and is receding in Caledonia, Cayuga, York & Dunnville, however, the river will remain high for the remainder of the week.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will be closely monitoring river conditions and are prepared to respond as needed.

Current road closures:

Caledonia

– None at present.

Cayuga / York

– Ouse St. (between Baird St. and the dead end)

Dunnville / Port Maitland

– None at present.

Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from shoreline areas as fast moving water and slippery riverbeds can be extremely hazardous.

Flooding update for Caledonia, Cayuga & Dunnville

The Flood Warning remains in effect for low-lying areas along the Grand River shoreline. The river has already peaked and is receding in Caledonia and York, however, the river in Cayuga is rising steadily as water moves downstream. The river is expected to peak in Cayuga at midnight on Monday and Tuesday morning in Dunnville. Residents along the Grand River shoreline in Cayuga and Dunnville should continue preparing for a flood event.

The following flood messages remain in effect Cayuga & Dunnville:

Grand River (Cayuga)

Flows in the Grand River through Cayuga are expected to peak in the 1270 cm/s range around midnight on Monday. Flows are expected to exceed those experienced during the June 2017 flood event. Haldimand County Emergency Services have closed River Drive, Sims Lock Road, Grand Sports Drive and a number of other roads in the area. Conway Park has been notified and this area will be closely monitored.

Grand River (Dunnville)

Flows in the Grand River through Dunnville are expected to peak in the 1280 cm/s range on Tuesday morning. Flows are expected to exceed those experienced during the June 2017 flood event. Residents along the east bank of the Grand River on Main Street, upstream of the Dunnville dam should prepare for a flood event.

“Residents in these areas should continue preparing their property for a flood – securing items like patio furniture, moving valuable items from lower floors, making sure their sump pumps are working & other measures,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s manager of Emergency Services and fire chief. He noted that a flood guide for property owners and other preparedness resources are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will be closely monitoring river conditions and are prepared to respond as needed. Haldimand County public works staff will be implementing road closures as required throughout the event.

Current road closures:

Caledonia

– Forfar St. E.

Cayuga / York

– Ouse St. at Chippewa St.
– Grand Sports Dr. at Highway 54
– Sims Locks Rd. at Highway 54
– Abbey Rd.
– River Dr. at Highway 54
– River Rd. between Sutor Rd. and South Cayuga Rd.

Dunnville / Port Maitland

– None at present.

Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from shoreline areas as fast moving water and slippery riverbeds can be extremely hazardous. Property owners are encouraged to contact their insurance company about flood insurance if they do not already have it. Residents should pay close attention to changing river conditions and watch for updated flood messages.

Flooding expected along Grand River shoreline, residents in low-lying areas encouraged to prepare

The Flood Warning remains in effect for low-lying areas along the Grand River shoreline. Flows in the southern Grand River watershed will continue to increase and result in significant flooding in some areas before receding next week. Residents in low-lying areas along the Grand River shoreline, including Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville are encouraged to prepare for a flood event.

The following flood updates have been issued for Caledonia, Cayuga & Dunnville:

Grand River (Caledonia)

Flows in the Grand River through Caledonia are expected to peak in the 1150 cm/s range on Monday morning. Flows are expected to exceed those experienced during the June 2017 flood event. Haldimand County Emergency Services will be closely monitoring conditions near the old arena and fairgrounds along the east bank of the river.

Grand River (Cayuga)

Flows in the Grand River through Cayuga are expected to peak in the 1270 cm/s range around midnight on Monday. Flows are expected to exceed those experienced during the June 2017 flood event. Haldimand County Emergency Services will be preparing for the closure of River Drive, Sims Lock Road, Grand Sports Drive. Conway Park will be notified and this area will be closely monitored.

Grand River (Dunnville)

Flows in the Grand River through Dunnville are expected to peak in the 1280 cm/s range on Tuesday morning. Flows are expected to exceed those experienced during the June 2017 flood event. Residents along the east bank of the Grand River on Main Street, upstream of the Dunnville dam should prepare for a flood event.

 

“Residents in these areas should start preparing their property for a flood – securing items like patio furniture, moving valuable items from lower floors, making sure their sump pumps are working & other measures,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s manager of Emergency Services and fire chief. He noted that a flood guide for property owners and other preparedness resources are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will be closely monitoring river conditions and are prepared to respond as needed. Haldimand County public works staff will be implementing road closures as required throughout the event.

Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from shoreline areas as fast moving water and slippery riverbeds can be extremely hazardous. Property owners are encouraged to contact their insurance company about flood insurance if they do not already have it. Residents should pay close attention to changing river conditions and watch for updated flood messages.

Flood Warning issued for Grand River watershed

The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a Flood Warning for the entire Grand River watershed. Flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas of Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville that typically experience spring flooding. Residents are encouraged to stay away from watercourses, ditches & shoreline areas during this rainfall event.

A significant winter storm is anticipated to impact much of the province through this weekend with precipitation beginning late Friday afternoon and persisting through Sunday morning. There is still a great deal of uncertainty with respect to how much of this precipitation will fall as rain before transitioning to freezing rain as temperatures fall through the day on Saturday. How this precipitation falls will greatly impact how local waterways respond.

“Residents should remain alert throughout this weather event, keep a close eye on changing conditions and watch for updated flood messages and weather warnings,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Fire Chief & Manager of Emergency Services. Residents are encouraged to contact their insurance provider about flood insurance if they do not already have it.

People are warned to stay away from ditches, frozen water bodies, streams, rivers, and ponds as the combination of slippery banks and cold, fast-flowing water is dangerous. Parents are reminded to keep children and pets away from all of these areas.

Landowners are also advised to make sure dams, culverts, and catch basins are free from debris and functioning properly. Helpful resources for property owners regarding flood preparedness are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/emergency-preparedness and HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Water levels are expected to remain elevated for several days following this weather event. Both conservation authority & Emergency Services staff will continue to monitor watershed conditions, issue updated flood messages and respond as necessary.