Alto Meadow 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 this burn is to control the encroachment of woody plants, invasive, and non-native plants to stop the meadow from succeeding into a shrub thicket.

The burn will renew soil nutrients by removing the biomass buildup of the thatch layer, which will accelerate the release of nutrients from the dead plant stock to allow it to be recycled back into the ecosystem. This process will improve native seed germination by allowing sunlight to reach the exposed soil.

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

A prescribed burn “window” has been identified (mid to late April 2023), and when the site and weather conditions are achieved for a safe and controlled burn, a date will be confirmed and residents who request to be notified via email will be advised (approximately 24 to 48 hours in advance).

If you would like to be included on the email notification list, please email TRCA Project Manager, Chris Cormack at chris.cormack@trca.ca.

A Fire Boss with extensive provincial firefighting and prescribed burning experience has written the burn plan and will be 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.

The 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 will be lit only after required site and weather conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction are favorable for the operation.

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

TRCA’s consultant will ignite and control 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 will be constantly monitored by the consultant’s fire suppression team, assisted by TRCA staff with designated monitoring posts. All staff will be in constant radio contact with one another.

ATV units will be outfitted with water tanks and sprayers and will act as mobile suppression units. Over 2,400 feet of fire hose, pumps, and water sources will be on site.

Staff from the local Fire Department have been notified of the burn and will be 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.

As a precaution, to minimize smoke from potentially entering surrounding homes, windows, doors, and fire dampers should be kept closed.

On the day of the burn, TRCA staff will conduct a wildlife sweep of the meadow to flush out any wildlife prior to ignition. Wildlife refuge zones have been identified at the north area of the property.

TRCA is choosing to conduct the prescribed burn outside of the breeding bird window, and during a time where there will be little wildlife activity.

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

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