West & East Forest Fire Situation Update
West Fire Region
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The fire hazard is low to moderate across the whole northwest portion of Ontario including the Far North which previously remained at a high hazard. Yesterday and today were good drying days for the forests, but looks like rain in the forecast.
A single fire was reported today in the Greenstone District close to the community of Summer Beaver. The fire is small at 0.1ha and is smouldering and creeping through mixed hard woods and conifer trees. The Community Fire Officer from Summer Beaver is responding to the fire. This is Greenstone’s 44th fire this season.
There are now six active fires in the West Fire Region. Nipigon fire 41 and Sioux Lookout fires 49, 50, 52 are burning quietly and being monitored in the Far North. However, high winds and wind gusts are in the forecast for the area, which may cause the fires to burn more. These fires are burning in remote and isolated areas.
Sioux Lookout fire 51 is Under Control at 24ha, northwest of the community of Muskrat Dam. One helicopter, four Type 1 Initial Attack crews, and local fire fighters from the community are committed to this fire.
One crew from Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Pickle Lake, Greenstone and Red Lake are being deployed to northern Manitoba to sustain the need for more resources there. Five crews from the East Fire Region as well as two division supervisors, one fire behavioural analyst, and another agency representative are also heading to Manitoba.
Currently in Manitoba, Ontario has sent two 415 waterbombers, 1 birddog aircraft, 1 air attack officer, ten four-person Type One Initial Attack crews, 1 agency representative, 1 radio operator, structural values protection unit and a values protection team which consists of three overhead staff and three FireRanger crews.
Ontario‘s 310-FIRE (3473) toll-free, emergency forest fire reporting number, makes reporting fires in northern Ontario easier and more efficient. 310-FIRE (3473) is an easy to remember number dedicated to forest fire reporting only. 310-FIRE (3473) is not available for satellite phones or from phones outside the province, so calls from these locations should go to local Fire Management Headquarters.
East Fire Region
June 29, 2010
No new fires were reported on June 28. One new fire has been confirmed so far June 29. North Bay 52 was reported at 0.1 hectares and has since been called out.
Hearst 31, reported on the evening of June 25, is 485 hectares in size and is not yet under control. It is approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kapuskasing, north of Torrance Lake, directly along Tucker Creek. With the help of CL-415 waterbombers and rainfall, FireRanger crews are making good progress on the fire. There are no values threatened, however this area is commonly used for wilderness recreation. Anyone within Torrance Lake, Hopkins Creek area should be aware that smoky conditions may exist as a result of the fire.
As Canada Day approaches and many residents may be preparing to set off fireworks, it is important to remember that residue from fireworks must be completely extinguished.
Crews from the East Fire Region are assisting in both Quebec and Manitoba.
Regardless of the fire hazard always build a safe campfire. Build your fire on bare soil or exposed rock, sheltered from the wind and away from tents or buildings. Keep a pail of water and shovel nearby and make sure the fire is not left unattended. Keep your fire small and when you’re finished, make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site. Remember to DROWN, STIR, DROWN!
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.
