The thermometer managed to break through the 90F mark on Tuesday, topping out at 91F. Hottest day of 2026 so far. The smoke settled in here around 1PM and was quite thick by late afternoon. It smells like everyone is sitting around a campfire. The 30% chance of overnight storms did not quite reach this area. A band of thunderstorms passed by just north of Bancroft in the late evening. Wednesday should be similar, but a few degrees cooler. The smoke will hang around for another day or two. Afternoon storms are possible Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
This from Ontario Storm Watch: Another surge of much thicker smoke is forecast to arrive Wednesday morning, with conditions continuing to worsen through the day and into Wednesday night as more smoke mixes down to the surface. Based on the latest model data, this has the potential to become one of the most significant wildfire smoke events Southern Ontario has experienced in quite some time. Some models are showing near ground smoke concentrations so high that they are literally maxing out the readings!
Always get questions this time of year, especially from campers, about campfire and cooking fires during the day during summer months. Here is a link to my interpretation of O.Reg. 207/96 sections 8.1 through 8.4
https://lwra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/campfire-regulations-summer.pdf
Activity on the Dixon Lake access issue continues quietly behind the scenes. Nothing official to report this week. Hoping to hear more on the 20th, but the issue has progressed to the point that most news is now confidential. (above my pay grade as they say) The last information that I have is that enough people have travelled the waterway that it is easily navigable now.
. Whether renewing or becoming a new member of the Limerick Waterways Ratepayers Association (LWRA), you can do it easily on their website at: lwra.ca. Dues are $50 per year per cottage. Please support the organization that works on many issues of importance to the lake community. The canoe races, AGM and picnic will be Saturday, August 1st at 9:30AM, all being held sequentially at what is known as Frasers Beach. (169 Limerick Lake North Shore) The traditional sailboat race will be Sunday, August 2, at 2:00PM starting near the Coxwell cottage, (202 Limerick Lake South Shore)
Summer burning rules came into effect on April 1. Fires under 2 meters in diameter are permitted 7PM to 7AM only through October 31st. Check the municipal website for information regarding total fire bans during the summer should that become necessary. There is also information there on how to apply for a permit for a legal daytime fire through the summer months. (conditions allowing)
The dump is on summer hours through August 31. It is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays from 11AM to 6:00PM.
The 2026 fishing regulations are on-line.
https://lwra.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-fishing-regulations-summary-en-2025-12-08.pdf
The fishing seasons and regulations for this area (zone 15) remain the same as recent years. They are on pages 104-114 of the regulations book. Bass started on June 27 and ends November 30. Trout started January 1 and ends September 30 with the slot size of 16 to 21 inches to be returned to the lake. It is a one-line lake for ice fishing.
