North Dundas, Ontario, has officially declared a state of emergency due to a 40-hectare fire that began on Sunday night in the Alvin Runnalls Forest near Morewood, south of Russell. The township stated that the fire has been contained within the forest, but firefighting efforts are challenging due to the fire’s remote location and limited access.
North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser mentioned that the fire likely originated in a bog and has since spread, noting that peat fires can travel underground. Residents are urged to avoid the area around county roads 3 and 7 to facilitate emergency response operations and to be prepared to stay indoors if air quality deteriorates.
As of Monday morning, there have been no reported injuries, no immediate threat to buildings, and no evacuation orders in place. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Despite recent rainfall, the region experienced a particularly dry summer, leading the township to enforce restrictions on outdoor fires, while the local conservation authority has been urging water conservation since early August.
More rain is expected on Monday night, and officials are hopeful to evaluate its impact on Tuesday morning. Mayor Fraser expressed optimism that with assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the immediate threat will be mitigated. However, he cautioned that bog fires can persist for extended periods, resurfacing months later due to their underground nature.
The fire is located approximately 45 kilometers southeast of downtown Ottawa.
