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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

April 7, 2025

City of Toronto planning traditional and prescribed burns (Biinaakzigewok Anishnaabeg) in High Park and South Humber Park to protect important ecosystems

Later this month, the City of Toronto plans to conduct prescribed burns in High Park and South Humber Park to help protect rare black oak savannah and woodland habitats.

Traditional and prescribed burns are deliberately set and carefully controlled fires that burn low to the ground to consume dried leaves, twigs and grass stems. Used across North America to restore and maintain fire-dependent ecosystems where naturally occurring fires provide renewal, Toronto has used fire to restore rare black oak savannah and woodland ecosystems for more than two decades.

The burns are dependent on weather conditions, which are being monitored over the coming weeks so the fires can take place when optimal conditions are expected. The date will be selected 24 to 48 hours in advance based on the forecast. The High Park burn will begin in the late morning, followed by South Humber Park in the afternoon.

High Park will be closed to vehicles on the day of the burn and access will be limited to park users near burn zones in both High Park and South Humber Park. People should expect temporary closures of trails near active burn sites. Notices will be placed at park entrances and in the surrounding community to advise the public of when the burn will take place. The public is asked to follow all safety signage.

Under ideal weather conditions, smoke from the burns will not affect surrounding neighbourhoods. However, it is possible that some smoke will reach residential areas near the parks. People with asthma and those who are highly sensitive to poison ivy should limit their exposure to the smoke by staying inside and keeping windows closed. Some people may choose to leave the general area of the park on the day of the burn if concerned about the smoke.

Indigenous Peoples have used traditional burns to care for these ecosystems for thousands of years. In collaboration with the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle and Elder Henry Pitawanakwat, the burn holds the name of Biinaakzigewok Anishnaabeg – which means “the responsibility for a cleansing fire by all Native Peoples” in Anishinaabemowin. The City collaborates with the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle to bring Indigenous knowledge and ceremony back to the centre of the traditional and prescribed burn.

Additional information about the traditional and prescribed burn is available on the City’s webpage: https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/trees/forest-management/urban-forest-management/prescribed-burn/.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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