East & West Region Fire Update
West Fire Region
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
There were no new fires reported in the West Fire Region by the evening of August 17. Four fires remain active in the far north. They are being monitored.
Some Ontario fire fighting resources in British Columbia have reached the end of their 14 day tour of duty and are scheduled to return to Ontario today. With 161 personnel returning to Ontario, this will leave 329 Ontario fire fighting personnel in BC to continue assistance that started August 1. At the peak of Ontario’s support there were 490 forest fire fighters and support staff in British Columiba.
Additional equipment has been sent to BC and some Ontario equipment remains in Saskatchewan.
Sufficient fire fighting personnel, equipment and aircraft remain in Ontario to meet current and forecast fire demands here with a low fire hazard across the West Fire Region.
________________________
East Fire Region
August 17, 2010
Two new fires were confirmed today, August 17. Sudbury 154, was a municipal fire that the Greater Sudbury Fire Department requested assistance with. Sault Ste. Marie 33 was a fire caused by a downed tree on a power line. It is classified as not under control but there are no issues anticipated.
Some Ontario fire fighting resources in British Columbia have reached the end of their 14 day tour of duty and are scheduled to return to Ontario today. With 161 personnel returning to Ontario, this will leave 329 Ontario fire fighting personnel in BC to continue assistance that started August 1. At the peak of Ontario’s support there were 490 forest fire fighters and support staff in British Columiba.. Ontario continues to supply equipment, such as pumps, hose and sprinkler systems for values protection, to Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
Be FireSmart, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention for more information on how to prevent forest fires.
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.
To view the current forest fire hazard in your area, click here to view the Fire Danger Map.
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.
