City conducting ‘traditional and prescribed’ burn at High Park, South Humber Park on Thursday

Here’s a heads-up for those heading into and out of Toronto: don’t be alarmed if you notice smoke around High Park and South Humber Park on on Thursday.

The City of Toronto will be conducting its traditional and prescribed burn at the two parks to protect rate black oak savannah and woodland habitats.

“A traditional and prescribed burn is a deliberately set and carefully controlled fire,” the City states on its website. “Fire-dependent ecosystems, such as Black Oak savannahs, contain rare native prairie plants that respond positively to burning and grow more vigorously.”

Ahead of the High Park burn, a ceremony and smudge was held, led by Indigenous Elder Vivian Recollet.

“Previously referred to as a ‘prescribed’ burn, it is now referenced as a ‘traditional and prescribed’ burn in order to use more accurate wording to honour the traditional practice of Indigenous people on Turtle Island.”

The City says the burn at High Park will start around 11 a.m., followed by the South Humber Park between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Anyone visiting the parks can expect limited access near the burns sites and the closure of sections of the multi-use trails. The City advises those with asthma or who are sensitive to poison ivy to close their windows and stay out of the park for the day.

High Park is closed to vehicles but the City says it should reopen by early evening.

The previous burn was held on April 8, 2024.

The City of Toronto started doing burns at High Park in 1997, but the practice dates back hundreds of years when Indigenous people would use fire for agricultural land clearing, attracting wildlife and rejuvenation of medicinal plants.

With files Nick Westoll, CityNews

Here’s a heads-up for those heading into and out of Toronto: don’t be alarmed if you notice smoke around High Park and South Humber Park on on Thursday. The City of Toronto will be conducting its traditional and prescribed burn at the two parks to protect rate black oak savannah and woodland habitats. “A traditional   

Here’s a heads-up for those heading into and out of Toronto: don’t be alarmed if you notice smoke around High Park and South Humber Park on on Thursday.

The City of Toronto will be conducting its traditional and prescribed burn at the two parks to protect rate black oak savannah and woodland habitats.

“A traditional and prescribed burn is a deliberately set and carefully controlled fire,” the City states on its website. “Fire-dependent ecosystems, such as Black Oak savannahs, contain rare native prairie plants that respond positively to burning and grow more vigorously.”

Ahead of the High Park burn, a ceremony and smudge was held, led by Indigenous Elder Vivian Recollet.

“Previously referred to as a ‘prescribed’ burn, it is now referenced as a ‘traditional and prescribed’ burn in order to use more accurate wording to honour the traditional practice of Indigenous people on Turtle Island.”

The City says the burn at High Park will start around 11 a.m., followed by the South Humber Park between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Anyone visiting the parks can expect limited access near the burns sites and the closure of sections of the multi-use trails. The City advises those with asthma or who are sensitive to poison ivy to close their windows and stay out of the park for the day.

High Park is closed to vehicles but the City says it should reopen by early evening.

The previous burn was held on April 8, 2024.

The City of Toronto started doing burns at High Park in 1997, but the practice dates back hundreds of years when Indigenous people would use fire for agricultural land clearing, attracting wildlife and rejuvenation of medicinal plants.

With files Nick Westoll, CityNews