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Clinton News Record, 2016-07-20, Page 5Wednesday, July 20, 2016 • News Record 5 Open air fire ban for Huron County The Huron County Fire Chiefs have declared an open air fire ban in Huron County, effective immediately. The ban was declared due to a lack of significant rainfall and forecasted hot and dry condi- tions, along with the provincial forest and wildland fire indica- tors at extreme levels. No open air burning will be permitted in Huron County until further notice. All open-air fires are prohib- ited during a fire ban, including those properties that have an open air fire permit. This ban applies to agricultural burns, brush pile burns, recreational fires, burn barrels, outdoor fire- places/chimneys or any other fires set in open air. Municipal bylaws have set fines and sur- charges for those found to be in violation of the ban. The only exceptions to this ban are cooking fires within approved campgrounds. Cook- ing ooking fires are permitted on campsites from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. only. After midnight, all fires must be completely extinguished. If you discover a fire in the open, it is very important that you report fires immediately by calling 9-1-1. Residents are encouraged to use these tips to prevent grass and brush fires: • Clear all combustible mate- rials, such as tree limbs, leaves and other dry materials away from buildings and propane tanks. • Keep barbeque propane tanks at least three metres from buildings. • Wood piles should be stored a safe distance from your home. Postmedia network file photo • Trees should be pruned to create a good vertical separa- tion from the ground. • Clear out any accumulated dry or dead debris from your property. • Cigarettes: Carelessly dis- carded cigarettes continue to be a major cause of grass fire dur- ing these dry periods. Smokers are reminded to use care when butting out. Do not throwlit cig- arettes out vehicle windows. • Take care when refueling equipment, and avoid idling hot engines over or near dry vegetation. • Check with your munici- pality about yard waste pick up and/or landfill site hours, most landfills accept yard waste, brush, etc. free of charge. If you have any questions about this order, please contact your local fire department. Howick Township: Fire Chief, Shawn Edwards 519-335-3202 North Huron: Fire Chief, David Spading 226-523-9500 Morris-Tumberry: Commu- nity fire safety officer, James Marshall 226-523-9500 Central Huron and Bluewa- ter: Fire Chief, Dave Renner 519-525-6530 Huron East: Fire Chief, Marty Bedard 519-527-0160 South Huron: Fire Chief Andrew Baird 519-235-1981 Goderich: Fire Chief, Steve Gardiner 519-525-6028. OPP UPDATES ANEW WAY TO "COUCHSURF" RESULTS IN CRIMINAL CHARGES (TOWNSHIP OF ASHFIELD-COL- BORNE-WAWANOSH, ON) — On Sun- day July 10, around 2 a.m., Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were dispatched to motor vehicle collision involving a number of injured persons on Mill Line near Dungannon. Upon arrival officers determined that a lawn tractor had been towing a utility trailer with a couch in the box. Eight young adults and youths had been seated on the couch and in the trailer. While driving down a hill the lawn tractor incurred mechanical problems and had no braking abil- ity. The lawn tractor gained speed resulting in the driver to lose control. The lawn tractor, trailer and couch rolled into a ditch area, causing all nine persons to be thrown. Three of the nine persons sustained non -life threatening injuries and were trans- ported to a local hospital. The other six were un -injured. The odour of an alcoholic beverage was detected on the breath of the lawn tractor operator. A roadside breath test was administered on this male operator and the result was a registered reading of "fail". He was transported to the Huron County OPP Detachment were he failed two Intoxilyzer breath tests. 23 -year-old Tyler Root of Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh Twp. has been charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada Offences: - Driving while ability impaired — motor vehicle (alcohol) - Driving with more than 80 mgs of alcohol in blood - Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily harm Dangerous operation of motor vehi- cle He has a court appearance sched- uled for the Goderich Ontario Court of Justice on August 22, 2016, where he will answer to the charges. The Huron County OPP is request- ing anyone with information about crimes or criminal activities to con- tact them at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anony- mous, call Crime Stoppers at 1 -800- 222 -TIPS (8477), and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES CONTINUE TO CLIMB The West Region Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is issuing a warning in light of another motorcycle fatal col- lision that occurred in Essex Ontario on July 11,2016. So far this year, motorcycle colli- sions have claimed the lives of 23 drivers and 3 passengers in Ontario. In 2015 there were 31 fatalities reported as a result of motorcycle collisions. "We will well exceed the number of 2015 fatalities if this trajectory con- tinues." — Traffic and Marine Inspec- tor Lisa Anderson. OPP Provincial statistics for 2016 year to date show: - 76% of motorcycle fatalities are caused by either; inattentive vehi- cle drivers that collide with motor- cycles while entering an intersection or making a turn and inexperienced motorcycle drivers who lose control of the motorcycle - 68% of those killed on OPP patrolled highways so far in 2016 are 45 years of age or older - 80% of OPP investigated motorcy- cle fatalities occur on Fridays, Sat- urdays or Sundays and 44% occur from noon to 6pm - 92% of the motorcycle fatalities occur during clear weather and dry road conditions - 48% of the number of motorcycle fatalities that occur on OPP patrolled highways occur in West Region The OPP continues to urge all driv- ers to be aware of their surround- ings and always check for motorcy- cles before changing lanes, turning or entering into intersections. This simple step will drastically reduce the number of motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities. "Get in the habit of looking for motorcycles when you are driv- ing. Quite often we look for other cars and trucks and get surprised by motorcycles. We need to change our way of thinking and look for motor - cycles first. If we specifically look for motorcycles, we will also see the other larger vehicles as well," said Traffic and Marine Inspector Lisa Anderson. Motorcycle drivers are also reminded to ensure they have adequate train- ing and experience before they start riding. It is obvious from our year to date statistics that the overwhelm- ing majority of our motorcycle fatal- ities involve older adults who are recreational weekend drivers. We need to get the message out to all recreational riders to drive defen- sively at all times and, as equally important, is new riders and those getting back onto the bike after many years are strongly encouraged to take a motorcycle training course before venturing onto the roadway. "We all lead busy lives but please slow down and always take a sec- ond look. Those few extra sec- onds could save a life. A moment of inattention can cause a lifetime of regret," said Anderson. Traffic safety is a shared responsi- bility. Share the road. Drive atten- tive, sober and always take the time to take a second look.