First Responders Continue to Extinguish Fires In Burnt River/Kawartha Lakes Area

First Responders continue to battle roughly 27 hectares of forest actively burning in the Burnt River area since it broke out on Saturday.

Photo courtesy of The City of Kawartha Lakers

Seven fire crews are working to contain the fire as confirmed by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The City of Kawartha Lakes says an air attack was conducted Sunday and is available Monday if required.

Kawartha Lakers reports that crews are making headway; however, hot and dry conditions persist and wind potential could worsen the situation. The public is requested to please avoid the area to allow emergency vehicles and personnel to access the area.

Public Safety and Road Closures

• No evacuation is necessary at this time

• Residents and visitors are urged to avoid the Burnt River area to allow crews to continue working safely. A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.

• A total fire ban is in effect across the City of Kawartha Lakes

With three significant fires in the past week and extremely dry conditions straining firefighting resources, residents are reminded: 

• If you see smoke, report it immediately to Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue at 705-324-2191. 

• Do not operate drones near active fire areas. This is illegal and poses serious risks to both aerial and ground crews. 

With ever-increasing weather-related emergencies, all households need to have an emergency plan and a 72-hour emergency kit available.

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Nominations Open For the 2023 Business Hall of Fame JA-NEO Awards

Nominations are now open for the annual Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern (JA-NEO) 2023 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) in the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Photo courtesy of JA Northern and Eastern Ontario.

The community is invited to submit nominations for the Business Hall of Fame, helping to recognize the City of Kawartha Lakes’ business leaders who have strengthened the economy and community through their business.

JA-NEO has recently expanded outside of Peterborough and into the City of Kawartha Lakes.

After the nominations come in, candidates are submitted to Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario, and then presented to an independent selection committee.

“JA-NEO is looking to honour individuals who, through their careers, have made a positive and everlasting impact on the community and the local business landscape,” said John McNutt, president and CEO of JA-NEO. “By recognizing and celebrating those who make an impact today, we are helping to inspire youth who will be our community’s leaders of tomorrow. JA-NEO is excited to expand our Business Hall of Fame outside of Peterborough and what better place than the City of Kawartha Lakes.”

The nominations window closes on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.

Successful nominees will be announced in January 2023, and will be officially inducted into the JA BHF on May 25, 2023.

Nomination forms can be found online at https://ja-neo.org/kawartha-lakes-ja-business-hall-of-fame/.

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United Way For City Of Kawartha Lakes Opens The Edwin Binney Community Garden Farm Stand To Combat Food Insecurity

United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes will be offering fresh produce from Edwin Binney’s Community Garden every Tuesday, beginning on July 26, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or as long as stock lasts.

Photo courtesy of United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Produce will be sold using a variable pricing model allowing shoppers to pay below market, at market, or above market values depending on their budget.

With rising rates of inflation affecting the majority of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton residents, United Way CKLH strives to offer affordable solutions that also help their projects grow to serve greater numbers of people in the community. Community members that are able to pay more will help to offset the cost for those that cannot afford market price.

Since the gardens inception four years ago, United Way CKL has donated nearly 35,000 lbs of produce to local organizations and food banks. All proceeds from the farm stand will be put back into the ongoing development and maintenance of the United Way CKL community farm.

For the time being, the Farm Stand will only be able to accept cash payment.

Weekly offerings will be posted on social media channels in advance of each week’s Tuesday market.

The Edwin Binney Community Garden Farm Stand is located at 50 Mary Street location in Lindsay.

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City Of Kawartha Lakes And Peterborough County Enter Into Shared Service Agreement For Chief Of Paramedics

Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County Councils recently received presentations in their closed sessions by their Paramedic Services Review Team which consists of senior staff and the Chiefs of both Paramedic services.

The Team has collaborated on a Review to understand how the two services could work together for greater efficiencies. The Review is in line with the Provincial mandate to look at synergies of operations. It was also prompted by the forthcoming retirement of Chief Rafton, the Kawartha Lakes Paramedic Chief.

Kawartha Lakes is currently undertaking a paramedic service 10-year resource and facilities master plan and with the need for paramedic chief expertise, have chosen to enter into a shared service agreement with Peterborough County. This agreement will see Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics, take on a dual leadership role within both services while further review and the master plan is completed. Both Councils have granted approval to execute a Chief Shared Service agreement.

Chief Mellow and Chief Rafton

“Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County-City Paramedic Services have enjoyed a long history of collaboration that has positioned our teams well to examine and establish strategies of efficiency and modernization to meet the evolving role of paramedicine in Ontario,” says Randy Mellow, Chief, Peterborough County-City Paramedics.

“I’m very pleased to have an opportunity to serve in a coordinating role with two incredibly talented Paramedic Service Leadership Teams under the direction of visionary municipal leadership as we seek opportunities to meet the specific needs of the Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes areas.”

Both Councils have directed the Review Team to explore a detailed analysis of additional opportunities including shared efficiencies of purchasing, human resources, facilities and specialized fleet such as a bariatric transport ambulance. Pending the review, a recommendation for any additional shared service agreements will be brought forward to the Councils in 2021.

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