Dry, hot weather sparks surge in bushfires in Sudbury

Fire officials in Greater Sudbury are concerned about a recent increase in the number of wildfires in the area.

A recent heatwave coupled with a lack of rain has created dry conditions, prompting fire services to consider implementing a fire ban.

A recent heatwave in the Sudbury area, coupled with a lack of rain has created dry conditions, prompting fire services to consider implementing a fire ban. (File)

Jesse Oshell, Greater Sudbury deputy fire chief, said it's unusual for there to be so many bushfires in the area so late in the season.

"We are approximately seven times higher in the number of wildland and brush fires in the community over the same period last year," Oshell said.

"So certainly, we have some concerns … We want to let residents know that wildland fires and brush fires are certainly on our radar."

It's important for residents to adhere to open-air burning rules, he said, and even consider waiting for conditions to improve while the environment is so dry.

"Although the weather is beautiful, we haven't seen any significant rainfall in a good period of time," Oshell said.

Jesse Oshell, Greater Sudbury deputy fire chief, said it's unusual for there to be so many bushfires in the area so late in the season. (Photo from video)

"We've had an extended period of above-seasonal temperatures and lack of rain."

The lack of moisture means fires start much more easily, Oshell said, with some recent fires started by hot mufflers, vehicle breakdowns and people throwing away burning cigarette butts.

Fighting so many fires so closely together has taxed fire resources, he added.

"With the number of fires so close together -- sometimes we're getting multiple per day -- we don't have enough time to rehab our tools … to a point where we are exhausting those resources," Oshell said.

"So, we've called in our partners at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. They've been fantastic."

He's hoping residents will take extra caution for the next little while when it comes to outdoor burning, especially with the fire index rating in the area recently moving from high to extreme.

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"This late in the season, it would be uncharacteristic to put in a fire ban (but) we're keeping it on our radar. But at this time, there is no fire ban," Oshell said.

"We're simply asking the public to help us by adhering to the open-air burning bylaw and potentially maybe skipping that evening fire … There is a risk and embers can fly up and off and land elsewhere and start those fires."