Carleton Place fire chief seeing increased number of grass fires

Carleton Place's fire chief is warning about the risk of grass fires at this time of year after an increase in recent incidents.

Director of Protective Services and Fire Chief for the Town of Carleton Place Pascal Meunier warns, this time of year poses a risk since dry grass can lead to rapid spread.

The spring is a dangerous time for grass fires. Vegetation and especially grass sat dry through winter and haven’t greened up yet creating a perfect fuel source for fire to travel rapidly. Please be careful @LanarkCounty1 have seen an increase in grass fires the last couple days pic.twitter.com/XiAh2xojXh

— Pascal Meunier (@ChiefMeunier) March 23, 2021

In a tweet, he explains vegetation, particularly grass, poses a risk for fires as it sat dry throughout the winter and hasn't be able to green up yet.

The Ocean Wave Fire Department, a firefighting organization serving Carleton Place, has received several burning complaints, and is reminding residents to follow the municipality's open-air burn bylaw.