Albion Hills Prescribed Burn

A prescribed burn is a planned and carefully controlled fire that is used to mimic the low-intensity fires that would have historically occurred on the landscape naturally.

Prescribed burns improve wildlife habitat and encourage the new growth of native grasses and wildflowers, increase biodiversity of plant species, minimize the spread of pest, insects, and disease, and recycle nutrients back into the soil.

The purpose of a prescribed burn is to control the encroachment of woody plants and invasive non-native plants to stop a meadow from succeeding into a shrub thicket.

A burn renews soil nutrients by removing the biomass buildup of the thatch layer, which accelerates the release of nutrients from the dead plant stock to allow it to be recycled back into the ecosystem.

This process improves native seed germination by allowing sunlight to reach the exposed soil.

The exact date of a prescribed burn is difficult to predict in advance as it depends on very specific site and weather conditions.

A fire boss with extensive provincial firefighting and prescribed burning experience prepares the burn plan and is responsible for the ignition, control, and extinguishing of the fire.

“Fire boss” is an Ontario designation for a certified individual who has full responsibility for planning and carrying out a burn with a qualified crew.

TRCA’s consultant has 20-plus years of experience conducting prescribed burns in neighboring jurisdictions, including the City of Toronto, City of Mississauga, and Simcoe County.

The fire is lit only after required site and weather conditions – including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and direction – are favourable for the operation.

TRCA staff mow the perimeter of the burn location. The 2.5-meter-wide mowed fuel break acts as a burn break that surrounds the burn block.

TRCA’s consultant ignites and controls the pattern of the fire to ensure fire lines are “burning into the black” – meaning the fire is headed towards areas already burned so that there is no more fuel, and the fire will self-extinguish.

The fire is constantly monitored by the consultant’s fire suppression team, assisted by TRCA staff with designated monitoring posts. All staff are in constant radio contact with one another. ATV units are outfitted with water tanks and sprayers to act as mobile suppression units.

Over 2,400 feet of fire hose, pumps, and water sources are used on site. Staff from the local fire department are notified and are present during the burn, pending availability.

Fire smoke is made up of a mixture of gases and very small particles that are produced when organic matter burns. Exposure to smoke may cause burning eyes, runny nose, irritated throat and sinus, and headache.

Children, seniors, pregnant women, and those who have underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung conditions, may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke.

The impacts from exposure to smoke depend on many factors, including weather conditions and proximity to the source. It is recommended that anyone sensitive to smoke stay away from areas with fire smoke.

If individuals are exposed and have trouble breathing or other symptoms, they should consult their healthcare provider.

Residents should keep windows, doors, and fire dampers closed as a precaution to minimize the potential of smoke entering homes.

On the day of the burn, TRCA staff conduct a wildlife sweep of the meadow to flush out any wildlife prior to ignition. Wildlife refuge zones are identified.

TRCA conducts prescribed burns outside of the breeding bird window, and during times when there is little wildlife activity in the meadow.

All neighboring residents and property owners within a 2.5 km radius of the prescribed burn are notified via roadside signs and a mailed information package.

Town of Caledon staff and council, Peel Police, Caledon OPP, Town of Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and other organizations are alerted.