Rural Townships Issue Open Burn Ban - August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025 – Due to hot and dry conditions, the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich are suspending open air burning, effective immediately.

The ban prohibits all fires except those set for the sole purpose of cooking food in a contained fire pit. Cooking fires should be attended constantly and extinguished completely after use.

Current fire permits are suspended, and no new permits will be issued by the Townships until further notice.

Failure to comply with the ban could result in charges and/or fees for service if the Fire Department is required to extinguish an unauthorized burn.

If the hot and dry conditions persist, a full fire ban could be implemented to include cooking fires.

Forecasts and conditions will be closely monitored and updates as necessary will be posted on municipal websites and social media.

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For media inquiries:

Robert Shantz, Fire Chief | Township of North Dumfries
519-632-8800, ext.139 (phone) | 519-580-1533 (cell) | rshantz@northdumfries.ca

Paul Redman, Fire Chief | Township of Wellesley
519-699-3941 | predman@wellesley.ca

Rod Leeson, Fire Chief | Township of Wilmot
519-634-5660, ext. 9547 | rod.leeson@wilmot.ca

Dennis Aldous, Fire Chief | Township of Woolwich
519-669-6011 | daldous@woolwich.ca