West & East Region Fire Situation Reports
West Fire Region
There were new fires reported in the districts of Sioux Lookout and Nipigon in the West Fire Region by the evening of June 25. Two of those, burning in the northern portions of Sioux Lookout District are 10 hectares in size and being observe red.
Kenora District is investigating the report of unauthorized day burning on Lake of the Woods. Outdoor fires such as campfires are allowed. However, daytime burning of brush or grass fires is not permitted. Those fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and put out no later than two hours after sunrise. www.ontario.ca/fireprevention
Smoky conditions persist in the region as smoke from large fires in northern Manitoba continues to drift into the West Fire Region. This has prompted a number of calls to the forest fire reporting line.
For general inquiries about the smoky conditions and current forest fires in the region people are asked to call the information hotline at 1-888-258-8842. An updated recorded message will give the current situation and they can leave their name and number if they have further questions. People can also view the location of active fires in Ontario by visiting the online Map of Current Forest Fires.
If people are concerned that there is a fire near their location they should call the fire reporting number 310-FIRE (3473). 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.
Nipigon District Fire Number 35, located about 55 kilometres west northwest of Nakina, is under control at 50.0 hectares in size. The fire was infrared scanned on June 25 and no hot spots were found. Currently there is one Type 1 FireRanger crew and four Type 2 crews remaining on the fire.
Nipigon District Fire Number 38, located in the far north, about 30 kilometres south west of Eabamatoong, is classed as under control at 6.0 hectares. There is one Type 1 FireRanger crew committed to this fire.
Nipigon District Fire Number 39, located 40 kilometres northwest of Summer Beaver, is being monitored and at last report was 0.5 hectares in size.
The fire hazard is moderate to high across the West Fire Region
Ontario resources are providing support to the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Quebec:
In Northwest Territories: Two Fire Behaviour Analysts (FBAN)
In Quebec: 30 (four-person) Type 1 Initial Attack FireRanger crews; six Sector Leaders; one Division Supervisor, one Incident Commander – Type 2 and two Agency Representatives (AREP). There is also one CL- 415 Tanker Group (two-CL- 415s, one Birddog Aircraft and one Air Attack Officer). There are also 100 pump kits and 2000 lengths of hose.
On June 24 an Ignition Specialist, a Fire Boss and and Aerial Ignition machine were sent to Quebec.
In Manitoba:
Ten (four-person) Type 1 Initial Attack FireRanger Crews, one Agency Representative, one radio operator and one CL- 415 Tanker Group (two CL-415s, one Birddog Aircraft and one Air Attack Officer)
One Mobile Values Protection Unit has been sent to Manitoba.
East Fire Region
June 25, 2010
No new fires were reported on June 24. There are currently four active fires in the region, all of which are under control.
Crews from the East Fire Region are assisting in both Quebec and Manitoba.
To view the current forest fire hazard in your area, click here to view the Fire Danger Map.
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 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.
