September 22, 2025
MOREWOOD, Ontario –
UPDATE - 5:45 P.M., OCT. 2
The Township of North Dundas is happy to announce that the bog fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest has been extinguished.
North Dundas Fire Chief Kreg Raistrick updated members of administration with the good news on Thursday, Oct. 2.
The Ontario Provincial Police are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Community members with information that would be helpful in the investigation are encouraged to call the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122.
The Township of North Dundas extends its thanks to mutual-aid partners, its neighbours, industry experts and the community at large for its support during this emergency. It is appreciated on multiple levels. Thank you.
NOTE: ACCESS TO THE ALVIN RUNNALLS FOREST IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Access to the Alvin Runnalls Forest is prohibited until further notice, due to the ongoing investigation and the dangerous condition of the property. Trespassing in the forest is not allowed.
UPDATE - 5:30 P.M. - SEPT. 29
Today the Township of North Dundas filed the necessary documentation with the Province of Ontario to remove the state of emergency that was brought into effect as a result of the Alvin Runnalls Forest fire.
Township officials met again today for an update on conditions at the forest. There remains little to no evidence of fire at the forest. Firefighters reported no visible signs of smoke, and very little smell of smoke.
Officials will continue to monitor the scene, as sunny and warm conditions will dominate the week.
NOTE: ACCESS TO THE ALVIN RUNNALLS FOREST IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Because of ongoing fire monitoring, investigations and the dangerous nature of this event, access to the Alvin Runnalls Forest is prohibited until further notice. Trespassing in the forest is not allowed.
The Township of North Dundas thanks its firefighters, as well as those from North Stormont and South Dundas, as well as South Nation Conservation and SDG Counties for all the support offered over the last week.
UPDATE - 5 P.M., SEPT. 26
The Township of North Dundas is happy to announce that the bog fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest is now under control.
Firefighting, combined with some more welcome rain, have removed all visible signs of fire at the scene. Likewise, the smell of smoke at the scene has been drastically reduced.
North Dundas Fire Chief Kreg Raistrick said Friday if there continue to be no signs of smoke and/or fire coming from the scene for the next seven days the fire will be considered extinguished. Should visible signs return the fire service will extinguish those hot spots, and the seven-day cycle is repeated.
The state of emergency will remain in place for the time being.
NOTE: ACCESS TO THE ALVIN RUNNALLS FOREST IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Because of ongoing fire monitoring, investigations and the dangerous nature of this event, access to the Alvin Runnalls Forest is prohibited until further notice. Trespassing in the forest is not allowed.
The Township of North Dundas thanks its residents for supporting us during this event, and over the next few days while we ensure the forest is 100 per cent safe to open to the public.
UPDATE - 4 P.M., SEPT. 24
Crews battling the bog fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest have successfully implemented firebreaks from all directions, closing the southern flank earlier today.
North Dundas Fire Chief Kreg Raistrick reported that the chances of the fire spreading beyond the containment zone have been “drastically reduced.”
Three pumps and more than 30 firefighters from North Dundas, South Dundas and North Stormont are working to douse hot spots.
Rain forecast for Thursday will help, should it occur.
Because of success on the ground, this will be the final scheduled update concerning the bog fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest. The township expects to continue firefighting activities in much the same manner as it has the last couple of days, with firefighters identifying hot spots and systematically extinguishing them.
However, the Township of North Dundas will issue communications, when necessary, should conditions change.
The state of emergency will remain in effect for the time being.
If you have questions, please contact township hall at 613-774-2105.
The Township of North Dundas once again extends its heartfelt thanks to its firefighters, firefighters who have come from outside our community, and to the public for their unwavering support during this time.
UPDATE - 11 A.M., SEPT. 25
Firefighting at the Alvin Runnalls Forest is continuing today, with crews working to finish a southern firebreak to completely hold the fire in place.
Firefighting conditions continue to stabilize, and crews are having success in dousing hot spots. Mutual aid is in place, and residents may notice fire crews from outside of the township travelling through the area.
Environment Canada is forecasting as much as 20 mm of rain between now and Friday which, if it comes to fruition, will help soak the tinder-dry Morewood Bog. This will be helpful but is nowhere near the amount of rain needed to completely snuff out the fire.
The township will pivot to once-a-day updates from the current thrice-daily schedule.
The next update will be provided at end of day.
Please continue to remain away from the scene at County Roads 3 and 7.
UPDATE - 6 P.M., SEPT. 24
The bog fire burning at the Alvin Runnalls Forest is now largely held in place and confidence is growing that the incident will be brought under control in the next few days.
Township of North Dundas officials met Tuesday afternoon to receive an update from firefighters at scene, where it was shared that firebreaks have been successfully created to the north, east and west of a 15-acre (6.2 hectares) zone within the forest that holds the fire.
It is anticipated that the southern firebreak will be completed by sundown, or first thing Wednesday morning.
Firefighters are completing ground operations in the zone to open the earth and extinguish surface and subsurface fires. There are no longer visible flames from the zone, and firefighters have reported that smoke has dissipated.
Concerns remain with respect to the weather and dry conditions that permeated our region this summer. If the weather stays cool, cloudy and rainy then firefighting will be made easier. In the event the sun begins to shine, the heat already in the ground combined with dry pine needles, leaves and branches could lengthen the timeline.
The Ministry of Natural Resources officials will remain at the scene, continuing to offer support. Likewise, a field officer with Emergency Management Ontario is liaising with the township regularly.
Regional partners, including neighbouring municipalities, have been updated on the status of the fire. The township is activating mutual-aid agreements with neighbouring fire services, to maintain staffing levels while also allowing North Dundas crews some respite following days of firefighting.
Residents wishing to help firefighters with food, drink and other supports are encouraged to reach out to the Township of North Dundas to coordinate those offerings. The township can be reached at 613-774-2105.
Please avoid the area of County Roads 3 and 7 at the Alvin Runnalls Forest to allow for the safe transit of emergency vehicles.
The Township of North Dundas expresses its unwavering thanks to its firefighters, staff, partners and especially members of the community for their much-valued support.
The Township of North Dundas will issue another update Wednesday morning.
The Alvin Runnalls Forest, not unsurprisingly, is closed until further notice.
UPDATE - 2 P.M., SEPT. 23
Firefighters continue to battle an underground bog fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest, though progress is being made to bring things under control.
Fire crews are having success in containing the fire to specific sections of the forest, thanks to a combination of firebreaks, rainfall and firefighting efforts.
While the fire is not yet under control, it is fair to say that crews are closing in on that reality. This could still take several days, and weather will continue to be a major contributing factor to the long-term success of firefighting activities at the forest.
The Ministry of Natural Resources officials will remain at the scene, continuing to offer support. Likewise, a field officer with Emergency Management Ontario is liaising with the township regularly.
Regional partners, including neighbouring municipalities, have been updated on the status of the fire. The township is activating mutual-aid agreements with neighbouring fire services, to maintain staffing levels while also allowing North Dundas crews some respite following days of firefighting.
Residents wishing to help firefighters with food, drink and other supports are encouraged to reach out to the Township of North Dundas to coordinate those offerings. The township can be reached at 613-774-2105.
Please avoid the area of County Roads 3 and 7 at the Alvin Runnalls Forest to allow for the safe transit of emergency vehicles.
The Township of North Dundas expresses its unwavering thanks to its firefighters, staff, partners and especially members of the community for their much-valued support.
Another update will follow at day’s end.
UPDATE - 9:30 A.M., SEPT. 23
Thanks to firefighting efforts and some welcome overnight rain the forest/bog fire burning at the Alvin Runnalls Forest has been significantly reduced.
Following a meeting today with the Ministry of Natural Resources and firefighters, the Township of North Dundas learned that the blaze burning at the forest has been reduced to 10-12 acres (about four hectares) down from the massive 100-acre fire that erupted sometime over the weekend.
It has been determined that the best course of action now is to fight the fire on the ground. Air assets, at this time, would not provide the most efficient avenue for extinguishing the fire. Much of the fire is now smouldering at the surface, or underground.
Drought-like conditions this summer means some of the underground hot spots are as much as 50 cm below the surface. Firefighters will use equipment to open the ground, to allow for maximum water penetration.
North Dundas Fire Services are expected to invoke some mutual-aid agreements with neighbouring partners to allow for the respite of their firefighters.
Firefighters were reporting no open flames on Tuesday morning. The Alvin Runnalls Forest, not unsurprisingly, is closed until further notice.
UPDATE - 5 P.M., SEPT. 22
The Township of North Dundas today declared a state of emergency in response to a 100-acre forest/bog fire that remains burning at the Alvin Runnalls Forest near Morewood.
Firefighting efforts have been ongoing since Sunday night, complicated by the remote nature of the fire and limited access to the forest. No one has been hurt, and no structures have been damaged.
It is not known what caused the fire, but police are investigating.
Firefighting efforts to this point have been successful in containing the fire to the forest. Firebreaks and other measures have been undertaken to limit the spread of the flames. The township has been engaging the Ministry of Natural Resources to secure further firefighting resources. Township officials will reassess conditions early Tuesday morning to determine whether further resources are required from MNR.
Currently there is no need or plan to evacuate nearby residents.
Rain and showers are forecasted for Monday night. While the township anticipates that rainfall will help mitigate the fire’s spread, officials will not be able to determine how much of an impact the rain will have until Tuesday morning.
Individuals are being asked to stay away from the area of the Alvin Runnalls Forest to allow for the safe transit of emergency vehicles. Residents are asked to be mindful of activities that could spark a fire. Conditions in our region remain tinder dry, and North Dundas Fire Services are fully involved in responding to the forest fire.
Mayor Tony Fraser and members of council have been advised of the situation and they, along with emergency management officials and administrators, are actively monitoring conditions and remain in close contact.
Residents in Morewood and surrounding communities may notice smoke and reduced air quality, especially downwind of the forest. Individuals with breathing conditions should monitor local air quality health index updates and limit outdoor activity if smoke is visible or air quality worsens.
Firefighters are using water from a nearby quarry, and do not anticipate using a municipally fed system at all during this event.
This will be the final scheduled update from the Township of North Dundas, for Monday Sept. 22. Updates could still be published, should events warrant. The next scheduled update will take place Tuesday morning, once officials have had an opportunity to assess developments.
UPDATE - 12:45 P.M., SEPT. 22
The Township of North Dundas has declared a state of emergency, and filed the necessary documentation with the Province of Ontario at noon today. This allows the township to effectively manage resources, expenses and responses to the fire.
The township's emergency operations centre has likewise been activated. Police are at the scene of the fire and have begun an investigation.
Residents in Morewood and surrounding communities may notice smoke and reduced air quality, especially downwind of the forest. Individuals with breathing conditions should monitor local air quality health index updates and limit outdoor activity if smoke is visible or air quality worsens.
Firefighters are using water from a nearby quarry, and do not anticipate using a municipally-fed system at all during this event.
Another update will follow this afternoon. Please avoid the area.
INITIAL NOTIFICATION FOLLOWS BELOW:
Township of North Dundas fire services are battling a 100-acre fire at the Alvin Runnalls Forest near Morewood. Firefighters have been on the scene since Sunday night.
At this time the fire is burning out of control but is isolated to the Alvin Runnalls Forest. No one has been hurt, and there is no danger to any structures. It is not known what started the fire.
North Dundas has initiated an emergency management response, and has been in close contact with its partners, including SDG Counties, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and South Nation Conservation. The township will decide later today if it must declare a state of emergency. At this time there is no need or plan to evacuate nearby residents.
However, individuals are being asked to stay away from the area of the Alvin Runnalls Forest to allow for the safe transit of emergency vehicles. Firefighting activities are being complicated by the remoteness of the fire and challenges with respect to access.
Residents are asked to be mindful of activities that could spark a fire. Conditions in our region remain tinder dry, and North Dundas Fire Services are fully involved in responding to the forest fire.
Mayor Tony Fraser and members of council have been advised of the situation and they, along with emergency management officials and administrators, are actively monitoring conditions and remain in close contact.
North Dundas will issue another update on this situation later today. Please check our website and social media channels for regular updates.