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Second Grass Fire Surges to 33.5 Hectares as Burnt River Blaze Persists

A zero-tolerance fire ban is in effect with water bombers supported by seven crews working to contain both blazes after a second grass fire surged

Ontario's provincial flag flies in Ottawa, Monday, July 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Fire crews work to contain a 33.5-hectare wildfire near Kirkfield, Ont., on Aug. 12, 2025, as dry conditions fuel multiple blazes across Kawartha Lakes.
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Overview

  • A grass fire in Kirkfield, dubbed OFR1, expanded from five hectares to 33.5 hectares on Monday, prompting deployment of an aerial water bomber to assist ground teams.
  • The primary Haliburton 19 forest fire remains active at about 27 hectares, with firefighters holding its boundary and no evacuation orders issued.
  • Officials report no injuries among residents or firefighters and have closed County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green to secure operations.
  • A total fire ban covers the entire Kawartha Lakes region and Mayor Doug Elmslie has warned of zero tolerance for ban violations, with fines to be strictly enforced.
  • Crews are monitoring an incoming cold front expected to bring rain later Tuesday, although hot, dry conditions have so far driven extreme wildfire risk and degraded air quality.