The fire chief in Chatham-Kent is reporting that the number of fires is up slightly so far this year compared to the same period in 2020.
Speaking to CK Mornings with Chris, Jen and Matt on 94.3 CKSY, Chief Chris Case said this year's fires have also been bigger and have created more damage than normal.
He added the number of fires were down in 2020 compared to other years. Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services Public Educator Whitney Burk said there have been 142 fires so far this year compared to 120 during the first five months of last year.
Firefighters responded to three fires this past weekend alone and there have been more than a dozen large fires in Chatham-Kent over the past six weeks.
A woman has been arrested and charged with arson in connection to a couple of suspicious fires on Keil Drive in Chatham over the weekend. One of them was a trailer fire near Value Village on Saturday night that Chief Case said could have been disastrous.
On top of the fire next to Value Village on Saturday night, the chief said there was a structure fire in Tilbury and an apartment fire in Chatham the same night. He said none of the other fires outside of those on Keil Drive are believed to be connected.
Firefighters also had to battle a massive $3 million blaze on Inshes Avenue in Chatham last month.
Chief Case said they are currently trying to find out if there are any common causes or underlying trends so that they can reduce the amount of fires in the Municipality. He said thankfully, there has not been an increase in injuries caused by the fires so far this year.
The chief also gave the volunteer and full time fire crews a lot of credit for handling the fires so professionally and efficiently during the pandemic.
"The full time firefighters in Chatham and in Wallaceburg have been extremely busy," said Case. "I give credit to the firefighters, they have been a credit to their communities over the past week and especially over the past year and a half."
Chief Case noted that a Community Risk Assessment is underway in Chatham-Kent to help the fire department to make informed decisions about the types and levels of fire protection services they will provide based on identified risks. A new community risk assessment must be completed at least every five years.
The Province of Ontario also requires that fire departments review their community risk assessment at least once every 12 months to ensure it continues to accurately reflect the community and its fire and emergency risks.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services is also recruiting right now -- the department is looking to fill 30 positions.
