East Fire Region

June 4, 2010

At 12:01 a.m. today, the Restricted Fire Zone across much of northeastern Ontario, including Manitoulin Island, was lifted. However, it remains in place for areas south of Wawa including the districts of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay due to continuing dry conditions.

The area remaining under restriction is bounded by Lake Huron and the French and Mattawa Rivers in the south, the Quebec border in the east, from Latchford to the Montreal River in the north, and the Lake Superior shoreline on the west.

The new Restricted Fire Zone will be in effect until further notice.  All burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited.  Within a Restricted Fire Zone, campers can still use portable gas or propane cook stoves for cooking and warmth but should exercise extreme caution. 

Fireworks are permitted during a Restricted Fire Zone, however, they must be discharged at least 300 metres from a forested area and all residue from the fireworks must be completely extinguished.

Eleven fires were confirmed on June 3.  Four fires were confirmed in the Sudbury district, two in Timmins, two in Wawa and one each in the Chapleau, Cochrane and North Bay districts.  All fires were less than one hectare in size and no problems are anticipated.  Five of the 11 have been called out already.

Suppression efforts on Wawa 18 continue and good progress is being made on the fire. As of June 4, the fire is now classified as being held.  Crews are busy actioning hotspots that have been located using infrared scanning.

An Emergency Area Order remains in effect for the area surrounding Wawa 18.  Under the order, MNR is prohibiting travel on the following roads: Ripple Lake Road and Bluff Lake Road.

Residents are reminded that if found responsible for a forest fire, they can be charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and/or be liable for the costs of suppressing the fire.  This cost can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Be FireSmart, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention for more information on how to prevent forest fires.

310-FIRE (3473) is the new, toll-free emergency forest fire reporting phone number across northern

A Restricted Fire Zone continues to be in effect in northeastern Ontario. Residents and travellers through the region are reminded that all burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited. Conservation Officers are patrolling and charging violators.

WAWA MNR CO-OPERATORS FOREST FIRE INFORMATION

Valid: June 5th, 2010  

Geraldton – Longlac – Caramat – Manitouwadge – Hornepayne

Today..Cloudy. Showers beginning late this afternoon. High 18. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight..Showers. Low 7.

Saturday..Showers ending in the evening then cloudy. High 12.

Nipigon – Marathon – Superior North – Wawa – White River – Pukaskwa

Today..Cloudy. Showers beginning late this afternoon. High 18. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight..Showers. Low 9.

Saturday..Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h in the evening. High 16.

SRO TODAY: Bill Robinson - 705 856 4752