9,598.1 Hectares Burnt, Down From 2009
West Fire Region
September 17, 2010
Next update scheduled for September 24
There were no new fires reported in the West Fire Region by the evening of September 17. Currently, there are no active forest fires anywhere in Ontario. One fire, Thunder Bay District Fire Number 62 was declared out on September 13.
To date in the West Fire Region there have been 351 fires burning 9,598.1 hectares. By comparison, at this time in 2009 there had been 174 fires and 13,479.0 hectares burned. Although this shows that it has been a more active fire season so far in 2010 compared to 2009 – the five year average for the West Fire Region is 626 fires and 45,311.0 hectares burned. This means that the 2010 fire season is still below a regional average for both numbers of fires and hectares burned.
Despite the cooler weather and low forest fire hazard, the Ministry of Natural Resources Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program is urging the public to remain FireSmart. As a reminder for those using outdoor fires for cooking and warmth during hunting and recreational activities, remember that all fires must be kept small, built on mineral soil away from overhanging branches. They are to be attended at all times and be put dead out before leaving the site.
For residents planning to do brush or grass burning for fall clean-up, they are reminded that under the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario, there is no day-burning of these fires. They are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and be out no later than two hours after sunrise.
As the summer comes to a close most seasonal firefighter contracts are ending, with a number of FireRangers returning to colleges and universities. Remaining fire staff are doing base maintenance and winterizing of Fire Attack Bases. Caches of equipment that are stored in the far north during the summer are now being retrieved for over winter warehousing in northern districts.
Always practice fire safety with your campfires and shore lunches.
Report forest fires using the toll-free fire reporting number:
