East & West Forest Fire Situation Update
West Fire Region
Saturday June 12, 2010
There were no new fires reported in the West Fire Region by the evening of June 12.
The forest fire hazard is low across the southern and central portions of the region as a result of ongoing rain. Further north the fire hazard rises to moderate and in the far northeastern sectors of Sioux Lookout and Nipigon Districts the fire hazard is high.
Red Lake District Fire Number 32, located northeast of Pikangikum is classed as Under Control at 4,417 hectares in size. Infrared scanning on the fire area to ensure there are no hot spots left will continue when weather permits.
Nipigon District is planning an aerial reconnaissance into the far north once the weather improves to monitor Nipigon District Fire Number 27. Located about 330 kilometres north, northeast of Geraldton this lightning-caused fire, which started May 17 is being monitored as it is a natural renewal force in the forest. At last mapping it was 1,925 hectares in size.
Sioux Lookout District is monitoring two fires in its far north. Sioux Lookout Fire 41, located about 15 kilometres south of the community of Sachigo, is a lightning-caused fire that started May 25. It is two kilometres offshore on an island on Sachigo Lake and is being monitored and is 0.5 hectares in size. Sioux Lookout Fire Number 42 is a lightning-caused fire that started May 27. Located about 75 kilometres northeast of Pickle Lake this fire is being monitored and is 0.1 hectares in size.
Sioux Lookout District is also monitoring Sioux Lookout Fire Number 45 which started June 07. This four hectare fire, located about 16 kilometres east of the community of Weagamow is burning into a lake on the north side, and given rain and cooler weather forecasts it is not expected to grow or have any impacts on Weagamow.
There are four fires burning in provincial parks in the districts of Fort Frances (Quetico Provincial Park – 3 fires) and Thunder Bay (Wabakimi Provincial Park – 1 fire). These fires will be monitored as they burn, helping to restore ecyosystems and wildlife habitat in aging or storm-damaged forests.
Daytime burning of brush or grass fires is not permitted. These fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and put out no later than two hours after sunrise. For guidelines set out under the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario – visit our website at www.ontario.ca/fireprevention
People living in an organized municipality or First Nations community are advised check with their local fire officials for information regarding by-laws on burning.
East Fire Region
June 12, 2010
No new fires were reported on June 11. Recent precipitation has lessened the fire hazard throughout most of the region.
Suppression efforts on Wawa 18 continue and good progress is being made on the fire. The fire is listed as under control.
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.
If you light a campfire ensure it is tended with extreme care. Keep your campfires small, never leave them unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished before leaving.
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 www.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 Ontario. The number will operate north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.
