Fire

The Township of Zorra has three fire stations located in Embro, Thamesford and Uniondale. Please visit the fire section of this website for more information on fire services in Zorra. Fire Chief Joshua Doyle oversees all fire services within the Township of Zorra. Chief Doyle can be reached at 519-485-2490 Ext. 7240 or by email.

For all emergencies, call "9-1-1".

Embro Station

90 Union Street
Embro, Ontario
District Chief: Matt Cockle
Phone: 519-485-2490 Ext.7270
Email Embro Fire Hall

Thamesford Station

682820 Road 68 (Hwy 2)
Thamesford, Ontario
District Chief: Andy Martin
Phone: 519-485-2490 Ext.7275
Email Thamesford Fire Hall

Uniondale Station

962992 Road 96
Uniondale, Ontario
District Chief: Scott Matheson
Phone: 519-485-2490 Ext.7280
Email Uniondale Fire Hall

Open Air Burning

Open-air burning within the boundaries of the Township of Zorra is prohibited unless permission has been given by the Fire Chief in the form of a Fire Permit. Before starting a burn, you should be sure to review Regulation and Setting of Fires By-law 30-20.

Not sure if you need a permit?

Take a look at our Open Air Burn Brochure which compares recreational fires to open air burns. Still have questions? Contact the Fire Chief at 519-485-2490 ext 7240.

Open Air Burn Permit Process

The Township has introduced a Permanent Fire Permit process for open air burning. This process involves a one-time application which will reduce the effort required to set up permission for an open air burn. All applications will be reviewed by the Fire Chief and upon approval, the applicant will be able to proceed with open air burns by calling into dispatch directly to report the burn details. Review application form and conditions for the new permit, then complete your application! Please note - the process for small recreation burns within a ring or fire pit in backyard has not changed - these types of fires do not require a permit. Approved burn permit holders can call dispatch directly with details regarding a planned burn. The number for dispatch is 519-842-2481 (24 hours a day). View the Permanent Fire Application Form here.

Recreational Burning

Recreational fires may be permitted which are contained within non-combustible containers or pits specifically designed for open-air burnings. Some General Provisions are listed below, however, please see By-law 30-20 for all Provisions:

• Burning may be conducted between the hours of 4pm and midnight only.

• No materials other than dry seasoned wood, commercially produced charcoal and briquettes may be burned

• Open-air burnings shall be confined to non-combustible containers or to a pit no larger than two feet by two feet with flames not exceeding 2 feet in height.

• The burning pit shall be confined to a location at least 15 feet in all directions from adjacent properties and or structures.

• An extinguishing agent of sufficient size and with the capability extinguishing the fire shall be immediately available for use.

• The fire shall be attended, controlled and supervised at all times and shall be completely extinguished before the site is vacated.

• Open-air burning is prohibited when the wind speed exceeds fifteen kilometres per hour or during rainy or foggy weather conditions or when a smog alert has been declared.

Develop a home fire escape plan today…it could save your life tonight!

Install working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. It’s the law!

1. Develop a home fire escape plan.

   Know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Sit down with everyone in your household and discuss how each person will get out of the home in a fire.

2. Practice your escape plan with everyone in your home.

   Make sure everyone can get out quickly. Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room, if possible. If the door of a room is blocked by smoke or fire, discuss an alternate escape route such as a window. Make sure all windows open easily. Security bars on windows should have quick-releasing devices so they can be easily removed.

3. Help those who need it!

   Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, people with disabilities or anyone else who may need assistance.

4. Get low and go under the smoke to the nearest safe exit.

   Most fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation.

5. Choose a meeting place outside, a safe distance from your home.

   A tree, street light or a neighbours home are all good choices. In case of fire, everyone should go directly to this meeting place to be accounted for.

6. Get out, stay out.

   Never re-enter a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call the fire department from outside your home using a cell phone or from a neighbours home.

For more information, contact your local fire department.

Fire Inspection Reports

File searches are issued upon request in writing to any authorized person requiring information on the status of fire history on a specific property. This search involves reviewing the property file for any fire-related history. The fee for this request is $155.00 per property, payable to the Township of Zorra. Emailed/faxed requests are not accepted. Payment can be made by cheque or etransfer to accountsreceivable@zorra.ca.  If a physical inspection of a property is required, an additional fee of $104.00 is applicable. 

Fire Incident Reports

Fire inspection reports are issued upon request in writing to any authorized person requiring information about specific fire-related incidents (structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, etc.). The fee for this request is $104.00 per incident, payable to the Township of Zorra. Emailed/faxed requests are not accepted. Payment can be made by cheque or etransfer to accountsreceivable@zorra.ca.