CP Rail Grass Fires

Ontario Provincial Police | Jul 20, 2016

On July 13, 2016, heavy smoke could be seen rolling along the CP Rail tracks from Glen Tay in Tay Valley Township to Churchill Road in Drummond/North Elmsley Township as firefighters battled a series of out of control bush fires along Highways 7 and 43 yesterday.

The call came in to the fire dispatch centre in Smiths Falls with numerous 9-1-1 calls just past 2:30 p.m. BBD&E Station of the Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Rescue initially responded but as the fires spread, mutual aid had to be called in from Perth, South Sherbrooke, Lanark Highlands, Smiths Falls, Montague, Carleton Place, Beckwith, Mississippi Mills, Merrickville-Wolford, Rideau Lakes, and Central Frontenac.

The situation also prompted THE OPP to close down the stretch of Highway 43 between Chetwynd Street in Perth and Port Elmsley.

Chief Saunders credits the surrounding fire departments and emergency crews for helping control the situation so quickly.

Crews had to remain on the scene to ensure that all hot spots were extinguished. A drone from Renfrew County was brought in to help check on those hot spots from the air. Two firefighters were brought to hospital due to heat-related issues, but otherwise there were no injuries reported or loss of any properties. The Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Rescue would like to thank all the firefighters and neighbouring fire departments, paramedics, county and township staff, local residents and businesses for their excellent cooperation and assistance during the emergency.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.