The DND UXO and Legacy Sites Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions and Answers
- What is UXO?
- How will I know that something I find is UXO?
- What is a DND UXO Legacy Site?
- Why should I be concerned about UXO, especially if most of it has been around for a long time without causing any harm?
- If I walk or ride my bike over UXO, what will happen?
- Can't I just handle or move UXO gently?
- What should I do if I see UXO?
- What should I do if my friends are playing with something that may be UXO?
- What if I have military munitions at home?
- How big an explosion will UXO cause?
- Once a legacy site has been identified, and a risk level determined, does this ever get re-evaluated?
What is UXO?
"UXO" stands for "Unexploded Explosive Ordnance". It is explosive ordnance that has been primed, fuzed, armed or otherwise prepared for action, and that has been fired, dropped, launched, or placed in a manner that constitutes a hazard to people, operations, or installations, and remains unexploded by malfunction or for any other reason. Examples include bombs, grenades, shells, mortars, flares and rockets.
How will I know that something I find is UXO?
Determining that something is UXO is difficult, even for an expert. UXO comes in a great variety of shapes and sizes, from large bombs and other projectiles, to small ammunition. Some may be canister- or ball-shaped, some may look like a stick or baton, while others may look more like what we think of as a bomb or shell.
After it has been lying around for a time on the surface of the ground, buried, or underwater, UXO usually loses its original shape, paint and other markings. It may look more like a piece of old pipe, a pop can, an old car muffler, or bits of rusty metal than something you think of as a bomb, rocket or other munition. It is also unlikely to be resting on the surface of the ground; it is more likely to be buried with only small pieces exposed.
Further identification is made difficult because UXO must not be touched or disturbed in any way - it can't be dug up or pulled out of the ground for examination. Even experts and trained personnel don't disturb items they can't identify. They usually try to detonate them in place, making sure that it is done safely for them and others.
What is a DND UXO Legacy Site?
A DND UXO legacy site is:
- A site formerly owned, leased or used by DND that contains UXO resulting from past (historical) military operations.
- A site never in DND inventory that contains UXO resulting from past (historical) military operations.
- A shipwreck or other source of UXO that is within the 200-mile Canadian Exclusive Economic Zone.
In practical terms, it means that there are sites throughout Canada (on land, in rivers and lakes, and offshore) where UXO may be found. These contain explosives that can detonate and cause injury if disturbed.
Why should I be concerned about UXO, especially if most of it has been around for a long time without causing any harm?
UXO contains explosive material that was at some point prepared to explode. For some reason, it either did not or only partially exploded. This means that it still has the potential to explode. In fact, some UXO becomes increasingly unstable the longer it is in soil or water.
UXO can also move or be exposed over time. For example, freeze-thaw cycles, flooding and storms can uncover buried ordnance or move it from place to place.
If I walk or ride my bike over UXO, what will happen?
It is almost impossible to predict. In many cases, you will be lucky and nothing will happen. You might not even know it is there. Or, it might explode.
If it doesn't explode, but you know it's there, do not touch or otherwise disturb it. Leave the area and either call the police and tell them what you found, or ask an adult to call the police. Remember where you found the object - this is valuable information.
Can't I just handle or move UXO gently?
No. Some UXO can be set-off by very little or no movement. Just leave it alone, and leave the area.
What should I do if I see UXO?
- Don't touch it or disturb it in any way.
- Leave the area.
- Call your local emergency number (in most cases this will be 9-1-1), and ask for the police. Or, tell an adult (for example, your parents, teacher).
- Do not use a cell phone near UXO.
- Report what you have found, and where you found it.
- Follow any instructions that you may be given by the emergency number.
What should I do if my friends are playing with something that may be UXO?
Make sure that you stay safe (don't get too close to the object, move it or throw things at it) and try to get your friends to leave it alone - and tell them why. If this fails, leave the area and call your local emergency number, or tell an adult.
What if I have military munitions at home?
It is not uncommon for people to keep military munitions as souvenirs or trophies. Sometimes it is brought back by military personnel after their deployments and either prominently displayed on the mantle or in a bookshelf or stored in boxes in the basement. Other times, it is found in nearby fields and brought home as a discussion piece. Whatever the source, military munitions should always be considered dangerous. Only specially trained explosive experts can tell the difference between live military munitions and inert ones. There have been many instances where souvenir military munitions were in fact live and could have caused injury or death.
If you have military munitions at home, contact your local police or 9-1-1 and they will dispose of it safely with no consequences to you. It is important that you do not discard them in the environment since it could put others at risk.
How big an explosion will UXO cause?
That depends upon the design and size of the munitions, and how much explosive it contains. Some bombs or artillery shells are designed to destroy entire buildings. Any explosion can be extremely harmful.
Once a legacy site has been identified and a risk level determined, does it ever get re-evaluated?
Yes. Recurring reviews are a normal part of the UXO legacy site management process. For instance, some sites will be considered Low Risk because of remoteness of the property. Over time, they may become High Risk as human use of the property increases. These will be re-evaluated and managed accordingly.
* New and shiny, old and rusty, clean or dirty, all UXO is dangerous!
