Highway 7 Grass Fire Incident: A Close Call for Safety

Highway 7 Grass Fire Incident: A Close Call for Safety

Today, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a multi-agency response team sprang into action to tackle multiple grass fires along Highway 7, between North Esson Line and Settlers Line. Firefighters from OSM, Douro-Dummer, and Asphodel-Norwood responded promptly to contain the situation.

Upon arriving at the scene, the firefighters encountered a series of three to four grass fires, spaced approximately one kilometer apart. Acting swiftly, they managed to extinguish all the fires before they could spread, thereby averting a potential disaster.

During the operation, Highway 7 was temporarily reduced to a single lane, and then closed to traffic, enabling firefighters to move safely between the fire scenes. However, despite the caution, some reckless drivers were observed speeding through the area, putting everyone's safety at risk. In one alarming instance, a driver attempted to pass a firefighter stationed at the road closure, while others were seen recording the scene with their cell phones hanging out of their windows.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of exercising extreme caution when approaching an emergency scene. Every first responder deserves to return home safely after responding to an emergency call, without having to worry about the hazards posed by reckless drivers.

While the cause of the fires remains undetermined, the authorities are urging anyone with information, dash cam footage, or eyewitness accounts to come forward. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) can be reached at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8744, or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca. Tips can remain anonymous, and a reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest or resolution of the incident.

If you have any pictures, videos, or information related to the incident, we encourage you to share them in the comments section below. Your input could prove invaluable in helping the authorities piece together the events surrounding this incident.

Let us all take a moment to appreciate the selfless efforts of our first responders and exercise the necessary caution and consideration when approaching emergency scenes.