One day of rain doesn’t reverse one of the driest summers in recent memory.
We had some good news on Monday, as officials declared that the wildfire in Marmora and Lake had been extinguished.
Firefighters had been battling the blaze, estimated to be nearly 13 hectares in size, since August 10.
Thanks go to the Ministry of Natural Resources and their fire crews for their tireless work and dedication, along with the hard-working and brave firefighters from Wollaston, Limerick, and (of course) Marmora and Lake for their diligence and support.
We had some rain yesterday, making this morning one of the possibly dampest sunrises we have seen in weeks, but it’s a drop in the bucket (pardon the pun) compared to dry conditions where in the Lower Trent Region alone, we had 38% of the average normal rainfall for months of June and July.
The message is simple, don’t set any fires outdoors. It’s still not safe.
Also, don’t flick a cigarette butt out of the window of a moving car. They had three grass fires in Quinte West in a week started that way.
Unless we all want there to be bans on hiking with massive fines in this province, we need to show a little restraint and common sense until several days of rain bring greener grass and a measure of safety to our outdoor fun.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
(PAUL MARTIN)
