1) Dry spell prompts more outdoor burning bans in Simcoe County

Courtesy Barrie360

By Ian MacLennan, July 30, 2025

Vacationers may appreciate the dry weather, but it’s putting a crimp in things if those plans include a bonfire or other forms of outdoor burning.  [NOTE: Springwater has a ban on watering as well.]

10 out of 16 Simcoe County municipalities now have no burning restrictions in place, where the fire danger rating is extreme (Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford-West Gwillimbury, Clearview, Collingwood, Essa, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Springwater, Tiny, Wasaga Beach).

The burn ban also includes the use of fireworks.

Elsewhere in the county, the fire danger rate is either high or moderate.

In the cities of Barrie and Orillia, the fire danger rating is moderate, high on Rama First Nation, moderate on Beausoleil First Nation, and moderate in Muskoka.

Environment Canada offers no hint of rain the rest of this week and through the long weekend, though the humidity will not be as intense.

The weather agency says Barrie typically receives about 80 mm of rain in both June and July, and that target is well off the mark. Barrie received 42 mm of rain last month, and as of Tuesday, was just at 13 mm for July.

2) Fire danger rating in the high to extreme range across the region, several burn bans in effect

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, August 1, 2025

The fire danger rating in Simcoe County, Barrie and Orillia is either in the high or extreme range.

10 Simcoe County municipalities have a ban on outdoor burning, including fireworks (Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Clearview, Collingwood, Essa, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Springwater, Tiny, Wasaga Beach).

There is also a burn ban on Beausoleil First Nation. The fire danger rating is listed as high elsewhere in the county, as well as on Rama First Nation, in Barrie, Orillia, and Muskoka. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fspringwatertwp%2Fvideos%2F640674298476799%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

Environment Canada said mid-week that Barrie had received only 13 mm of rain so far in July, when the norm is about 80 mm.

According to the weather agency, not a drop of rain is forecast through the Civic long weekend, with the next chance for showers coming Wednesday night, and at the moment, that does not look promising.

The only hiccup in the long weekend forecast is the likelihood of wildfire smoke, beginning late Saturday morning and lasting through the afternoon.

3) Innisfil issues immediate ban on open-air burning, fireworks

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, July 28, 2025

Bone-dry conditions in Innisfil has prompted the town to issue an open-air burning ban effective immediately.

During this ban, all open-air burning and the use of fireworks are prohibited. This includes any outdoor fire, even if individuals have an approved burn permit. The ban applies to cooking fires and any coal or charcoal wood/woodchip barbecue devices.

“The decision to implement a total fire ban and fireworks ban is necessary to protect the safety and well-being of our community,” says Brent Thomas, Fire Chief of the Town of Innisfil, in a news release on Monday. “Protecting our neighbourhoods from accidental, but devastating fires starts with the fire ban and continues with the help of each and every Innisfil resident and business.”

Over the weekend, Innisfil firefighters responded to a large brush fire in a field in the area of Line 5 and 10 Sideroad.

“The town wishes to thank and acknowledge Kell Farms and Wardlaw Farms who both provided assistance to plow ahead of our fireline to help prevent further spread of flames and clean up some hot spots resulting from the fire,” according to a news release from the municipality.

Cooking appliances with a mechanical shut-off, such as propane or natural gas, are permitted during a fire ban. They must be placed on a hard surface, deck, or non-flammable area, maintaining a significant distance from any combustible materials.

The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

The fire danger rating in Innisfil is listed as extreme.

For more information: Fire Danger Rating – Town of Innisfil

Springwater Township issued an outdoor water and outdoor fire ban earlier this month due to the dry conditions. The fire ban extends to the use of fireworks. Residents are also barred from lawn and garden watering, including newly seeded lawns, filling swimming pools of any size, and the use of water slides, water toys, and sprinklers.

More information here: https://www.springwater.ca/en/news/public-notice-temporary-water-and-fire-ban-in-effect.aspx

The forecast calls for pop-up showers and a thunderstorm Monday and Tuesday, but any rain that falls will be very spotty, according to Environment Canada.

The heat and humidity will begin to ease by mid-week, but sunny conditions are on tap from Wednesday into the long weekend.

Environment Canada says Barrie typically receives about 80 mm of rain in both June and July, and that target is well off the mark. Barrie received 42 mm of rain last month and is currently at just 13 mm for July with only a few days to go before the calendar flips to August on Friday.