An arid June has intensified the risk of fires across Essex County, warns Natural Resources Canada.
Extreme Risk
The federal ministry has identified Windsor and Essex County as being an “extreme risk” of fire.
The designation indicates a brush fire could potentially be fast spreading, intense and difficult to control.
A few pockets along the waterfront in the region are identified as low risk for fires.
The fire danger index illustrates how easy it is for vegetation to ignite, how difficult a fire may be to control and how much damage a fire may cause.
Windsor Fire and Rescue Services used the warning to remind residents that open burning is prohibited in the City of Windsor.
On June 27, the Leamington Fire Department responded to a grass fire on Mersea Road 19 and warned motorists against discarding cigarettes out the window.
A farmer kicks up dust while harvesting wheat on Lakeshore Rd. 113 on Monday, July 4, 2016.
Driest in a Decade
Windsor experienced its driest June since 2005, Environment Canada said.
Windsor was sprinkled with 37.6 mm of rain compared to the soggy monthly average of 86.1 mm.
The region received only 27 mm of rain in June 2005.
Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Peter Kimbell said it is difficult to predict precipitation for July, but advised relief may come later this week.
Wednesday’s forecast calls for a 40 per cent chance of showers later in the day, while Kimbell said the best chance of rain may come on Saturday.
Sizzling Summer
Kimbell said, while the summer hasn’t been one for the record books, July is shaping up to be a scorcher.
The average temperature for June was 21.15 C, which is only slightly warmer than the monthly average of 20.5.
Tuesday and Wednesday will see the mercury climb to 30 C before it dips back down to 27 C on Thursday and Friday.
Kimbell said the reprieve will be short-lived, however, as the hot weather is forecast to return next week.
