Spring Ice Storm | Resources

For updates on the outages, or to report downed power lines, visit the Hydro One Storm Centre.

If you see a downed powerline, always stay at least 10m away, and assume it is live and deadly, downed powerlines can electrify the ground around it, so you don’t have to touch the powerline to receive a deadly shock.

If the electrical stack or pipe on your home is damaged, a licensed electrician is required for repairs. If flooding is reaching outlets, heaters, or your furnace, call your hydro provider to have power safely disconnected. Do not enter flooded areas until power is off.

During and after a power outage it is important to consider the safety of your food and water to protect against any food or waterborne illnesses. Residents with private water systems are encouraged to disinfect, flush and test their water before consumption. For more information on food safety during a power outage, visit Simcoe Muskoka Health Unit.

Road conditions vary across the Township – while some areas are returning to normal, others are still experiencing impacts. 

• Be sure to slow down when traveling in the area of working crews to ensure they can work safely.

• For road closures visit: www.municipal511.ca (municipal) or www.ontario511.ca (provincial)

Daytime Burning

The fire season begins on April 1 and goes through until October 31 each year. During this period, daytime burning (between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm) is not permitted without a valid fire permit, any fire must be no larger than 1 meter in diameter by 1 meter in height, and you must have a means of extinguishment, a minimum of 19 liters of water, within 5 meters of all fires.

Burn permits are available through www.burnpermit.com. Contractors who wish to have a larger fire shall contact the Fire Department for further information on the application process. 

Exemption to the Reduced Load Designation

The Township confirms that the delivery of home heating fuel is exempt from reduced load restrictions. This exemption is effective April 4, 2025, and will remain in place until revoked by the Director of Operational Services. 

The ice storm has caused significant damage to our parks and trails. Out of an abundance of caution, all Township parks and trails will be closed until storm clean-up is complete.  Crews will assess the damage and begin clean-up operations as soon as it is safe to do so.

On-site signage and barriers will be placed on parks and trails however, the absence of signage does not indicate a park or trail is open. 

Brush Disposal

The District is offering a temporary fee relief period for disposing chippable wood (tree limbs, branches, shrubs and twigs) at all Transfer Stations (except Ridout and McLean) to support the community as they clean-up after the spring ice storm. This temporary fee relief period for the public began April 1, 2025 and will run until April 30, 2025. Brush must be cut into pieces no longer than four feet. Stumps are not accepted. Second home owners will have another opportunity to dispose of brush at District Transfer Stations for free this summer. 

Storm Yard Waste Curbside Collection

Through an extension of leaf and yard waste collection, storm yard waste curbside collection will begin Monday, April 21 in the areas most heavily affected by the storm: Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, and Bracebridge. This program is available to properties that currently receive curbside leaf and yard waste collection. To check eligibility, residents are encouraged to enter their address in the Muskoka Waste App or on the District’s website.

• Collection begins Monday, April 21 and will run for 3 weeks.
• Materials must be set at the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday each week. (Even though your materials are set out on Monday, they might not be collected until Friday, or the following week. Please be patient.)
• Ensure the material is not on the road, sidewalk or interfering with any other public or private infrastructure to ensure safety of the community.