Beach Advisories – Simcoe County, Muskoka, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes

Is the water safe?

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Staff, August 22, 2025

Simcoe County

Midland

• Little Lake Park Midland Beach – Advisory

Severn

• Washago Centennial Park Beach – Advisory

Muskoka

Gravenhurst

• Franklin Park – Advisory

During a swimming Advisory, the beach is posted with warning signs that the most recent water samples showed bacteria in numbers that may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose, or throat infections or stomach illness. If you choose to swim during a swimming advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water.

A beach is Closed when a significant risk to health and safety has been identified or when a potential adverse event occurs, such as a sewage or chemical spill. Beach closures are rare.

source: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit

Haliburton

• Haliburton Lake Beach – Dysart et al – Moderate Risk
• Horseshoe Beach – Minden Hills – Moderate Risk

Kawartha Lakes

• Blanchards Road Beach – Bexley – Moderate Risk
• Four Mile Lake Beach – Somerville – Moderate Risk
• Head Lake Beach – Laxton – Moderate Risk
• Lions Park – Coboconk – Moderate Risk

Moderate Risk – Based on latest test results, there are high counts of bacteria in the water. Swimming is not recommended, as it may increase your risk of developing minor skin, eye, ear, nose or throat infections or stomach illness. If you choose to swim during this advisory, avoid dunking your head or swallowing the water).

High Risk – Indicates that a beach is closed due to elevated levels of bacteria, rendering it unsafe for swimming.

source: Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit

(Updated) Fire bans lifted in Barrie, most Simcoe County municipalities, with a few exceptions

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, August 20, 2025

Nothing like a good soaking rain.

Those weather events have been few and far between this summer, but there were enough raindrops across the region on Tuesday night that municipalities such as Barrie, Springwater, Oro-Medonte, Collingwood, Innisfil, and elsewhere, have lifted bans on outdoor burning.

In Barrie, the fire danger rating, according to the city, has been reduced from extreme to moderate.

This means:

Fires are permitted within an approved outdoor solid fuel-burning appliance with a valid OSFBA Permit.

Open-air burning is permitted with an Open-Air Burn Permit.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, fire bans were still in effect:

Town of Midland

Town of Penetanguishene

Township of Essa

District of Muskoka

Members of the public should contact their local municipality regarding outdoor fire bans and requirements for burn permits.

Barrie officials remind residents that even with the fire ban lifted, fire safety remains a priority, and be cautious when burning and always follow permit conditions.

For details on burn permits and to check the fire danger rating, visit barrie.ca/BurnPermits. For additional fire safety tips, visit barrie.ca/FireSafety