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Skip Navigation LinksSimcoe County > Corporate Communications > Controlled burn in the Packard Tract in Essa Township to take place on Sunday, September 20, 2020
Advisory

Controlled burn in the Packard Tract in Essa Township to take place on Sunday, September 20, 2020

 

​Midhurst/September 18, 2020 – On Sunday, September 20, 2020, the County of Simcoe will be executing a controlled burn on approximately 27 acres within the Packard Tract in the Township of Essa, located at 8398 Line 9 (at the end of the 9th Line of Essa, south of Highway 90). The controlled burn could begin as early as 9 a.m. and is expected to be completed in one day with the site closed Sunday through Tuesday, September 22, 2020.

The controlled burn will support the second phase of the County's Kirtland's Warbler Habitat Restoration project. For more information about the project, visit simcoe.ca.

A highly experienced company has been retained to plan and conduct the burn, and trained personnel will be on site until the fire is completely extinguished. The impact of the smoke will be minimized by burning under specific wind and atmospheric conditions, however there will be times when large amounts of low-lying smoke will be present. At other stages in the operation, a smoke column may be seen for many miles. There is no cause for alarm, as this is all part of normal operations for the type of fuels being burned. The County does not anticipate any road closures or any major impact or disruption to residents.

While controlled burns differ from wildfires, in that they are managed to control smoke exposures to the public and are of much shorter overall durations than forest fires, concerns can arise regarding smoke exposure and health. Smoke exposure may pose a risk for more vulnerable individuals such as children, elderly and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize your exposure to smoke:

  • If you live close to the controlled burn site and have chronic health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease, you may wish to minimize your exposure by staying indoors during the burn. If you have health concerns, follow up with your health care provider.
  • If you have concerns regarding exposure to smoke while outdoors, consider reducing your outdoor physical activities near the affected area.
  • To help reduce smoke in your homes and businesses, keep windows and doors closed.

Public questions and inquiries can be directed to our County Forestry Department by contacting Service Simcoe at 1-800-263-3199 or service@simcoe.ca. For more information about the controlled burn, visit simcoe.ca/Forestry/Pages/Controlled-Burn-Notification.aspx.  

This project is being funded by Ganawenim Meshkiki - Henvy Inlet First Nations through The Eastern Georgian Bay Initiative with assistance from the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. 

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

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CONTACTS:​

Collin Matanowitsch
Public Relations Manager
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-734-8386 (mobile)
​Collin.Matanowitsch@simcoe.ca

Jennifer Straw
Public Relations Consultant
County of Simcoe, Service Simcoe Branch
705-790-5979 (mobile)
Jennifer.Straw@simcoe.ca ​​​