Firefighters respond to 24 brush fires in Ottawa over last 5 days

Ottawa firefighters respond to a grass fire in Ottawa. April 2026. (Source: Ottawa Fire Services)

It has been a busy few days for firefighters dealing with brush fires, with 24 brush fires reported in the Ottawa area over the past five days.

The Ottawa Fire Services issued an open-air fire ban on Tuesday, after nine days of dry weather in Ottawa. A rainfall warning is in effect for Ottawa on Wednesday, calling for 30 to 50 mm of rain over the next two days.

“Despite the heavy rain in the forecast, fire officials say the burn ban remains in place,” Fire Services spokesperson Nick DeFazio said.

“We are actively monitoring the weather and the expected rain today. This decision was not made lightly.”

• Open-air fire ban issued in Ottawa days after grass fires

Firefighters responded to a grass fire on Dwyer Hill Road on Saturday, which burned about 1.5 acres of land. Multiple brush fires were also reported on Loggers Way near Kinburn.

DeFazio says many of the 24 brush fires started as controlled burns “that quickly got out of control.”

“With wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph and extremely dry conditions due to a lack of precipitation, these fires are spreading fast and unpredictably,” DeFazio said on X.

“Brush fires are not quick calls. They are long, labour intensive incidents that demand a significant number of resources and keep crews tied up for extended periods of time.”

The Ottawa Fire Services is urging people to respect the burn ban, saying it is about safety.

“It is about protecting our community, our homes, and our firefighters.”

All open-air fires are prohibited during a ban, including properties that have an open-air fire permit.

This ban applies to agricultural burns, brush pile burns, as well as campfires.

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