Fire Prevention

The best way to deal with the prospect of fires is to take measures to prevent them in the first place and be prepared to fight them if they do break out.

Creating a defensible space around buildings: This involves pruning and clearing vegetation for up to 30 feet (10 metres) from your building(s). Click here for a video on useful tips.

Preventing root fires: Because of their shallow soil and heavy vegetation growth, islands in this area are vulnerable to root fires that begin under poorly placed campfires or brush burn piles. Root fires can smoulder for weeks and then pop up long after a campfire or brush fire is put out on the surface, especially when the wind picks up. Click here for a post-incidence explanation and here for some local open-air burn regulations, including the requirement to put sufficiently thick sand or mineral soil under burn areas to prevent root fires.

Burn permits: Always apply for a burn permit before starting any open-air fires. Permits in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands can be applied for online here, and must be renewed each year after January 1, either online or in person. If you plan use a burn barrel, incinerator, or brush pile, you must also call 613-704-1812 each time day before you burn to activate your permit for 24 hours. Campfires are exempt from the call-in requirement. If the fire department responds and finds a by-law violation, the property owner may be charged for all associated fees. Click here for information on open burning in New York State.

Burn bans: Always check into and be aware of local burn bans and warning. These bans and warnings are always publicized by local fire departments. Also note that in New York State, the burning of brush is prohibited each year from March 16 through May 14 due to the increased risk of wildfires, and burning loose leaves or leaf piles is prohibited year-round.