In anticipation of the total solar eclipse set to occur in Kingston on April 8, Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) has announced a comprehensive burn ban effective from Friday, April 5, at 8 a.m. through Tuesday, April 9, at 8 a.m. The city expects to host between 70,000 and 500,000 visitors during this period, necessitating increased emergency services and traffic management.
KFR Fire Chief Monique Belair emphasized the importance of the burn ban in maintaining emergency response readiness. “By issuing a burn ban, we can keep resources available to respond to emergency scenes when and where they are needed,” Belair stated. She highlighted the risks associated with responding to open-air fires, including potential delays in emergency response, dangers to emergency personnel, and the threat to life. Residents and visitors are urged to adhere to the ban to ensure the safety of the community and the efficiency of emergency services.
The burn ban strictly prohibits the use of fireworks and all forms of open-air fires, such as campfires, outdoor appliance fires, agricultural fires, and brush fires. However, the use of propane and natural gas appliances, smokers, barbeques, and charcoal appliances is permitted, albeit with a caution to exercise extreme care during the ban period.
KFR has committed to vigilant monitoring of the situation and will issue updates should there be any changes in conditions or policy. The initiative is part of a broader effort to prepare Kingston for the influx of visitors and the unique challenges posed by the solar eclipse event.
