Open-air burn ban issued for Ottawa after grass fires
Posted Apr 28, 2026 12:34:07 PM.
Last Updated Apr 29, 2026 10:57:35 AM.
Firefighters responded to two grass fires in Ottawa on Monday, prompting the department to issue a burn ban.
The first call came in at 2:54 p.m. with reports that a corn stalk was burning and “spreading quickly.” When crews arrived at the 5000 block of Akins Road in Stittsville, they found flames had burned through about three acres of field.
They were able to get it under control by 3:47 p.m.
Then, at 8:10 p.m., a caller told officials that they saw a small fire burning near a hydro pole. When they arrived at the 4000 block of McKenna Casey Drive in Nepean, they found the small blaze.
They saw that the grass beside the pole caught fire and doused the flames within 10 minutes.
On Tuesday, an open-air fire ban is in effect for the entire city. This means campfires, brush piles and outdoor wood burning are not allowed.
Bans are called by the fire chief and are based on environmental conditions.
“Since (April 24), we have responded to 24 brush fires and 21 burn complaints. Many of these started as controlled burns that quickly got out of control,” Ottawa fire said in a statement. “Our Firefighters have been working tirelessly. Brush fires are not quick calls. They are long, labour-intensive incidents that demand a significant number of resources and keep crews tied up for extended periods of time.”
The latest map by Environment Canada shows that the nation’s capital is on the cusp of abnormally dry conditions as of March 31. It shows portions of the Ottawa Valley bathed in yellow, which indicates the conditions are dry.
Other parts of the city are struggling with too much water. This juxtaposition can be seen in communities closest to the rivers and in Gatineau.
Some parts of Ottawa have flood concerns
Following a rainy start to spring and rapid snowmelt, water levels on the Ottawa River are stabilizing.
According to the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board (ORRPB), water levels at Lake Deschenes measured at 60.15 m on Friday. That level is expected to remain the same throughout the weekend.
In Gatineau, the Ottawa River is expected to retreat slightly. On Friday, levels measured at 44.3 m but are expected to decrease by 10 cm by Monday.
Snowmelt continues in the northern part of the watershed which will continued to pass increased flows downstream. As a result, water levels in Pembroke are expected to increase 5 cm over the weekend.
Unpredictable weather over the next week could result in a second flood peak from Pembroke to the Montreal Region.
