Northwest Region Fire Situation Update
*This is the most recent update received as of July 9, 2011
July 7, 2011 – 8pm
NEW FIRES
Three were three new fires reported in the Northwest Region by the evening of July 7 and seven fires were declared out. More new fires were being reported as the evening progressed.
- Red Lake Fire 72 –- Not under control – 10 hectares in size – located 70 kilometres west, northwest of Pikangikum in the far north
- Red Lake Fire 73 – Being observed – 5.0 hectares in size – located about 50 kilometres northwest of Deer Lake
- Sioux Lookout Fire 68 – Lightning-caused – Being observed – 5.0 hectares in size – located about 55 kilometres northeast of Cat Lake.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE UPDATE
Ontario FireRanger crews continue to make excellent progress on the ground on all fires in near proximity to First Nation communities.
Deer Lake:
The Department of National Defense successfully completed the Stage 1 evacuation of Deer Lake residents due to smoke. A Stage 1 evacuation includes residents with respiratory illnesses, the elderly and children.
Approximately 477 residents were expected in Greenstone by day’s end on July 7. Updated information on the numbers in Greenstone will be provided as it become available.
The First Nation communities of Sandy Lake, Cat Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching remain on evacuation alert and continue to monitor the situation.
Smoke from surrounding forest fires continues to drift in and out of all communities.
FIRES OF NOTE
Red Lake District had 42 active fires on the evening of July 7. Of these fires, some are affecting the First Nations Communities of Deer Lake, Sandy Lake and North Spirit Lake.
- Red Lake 26 – Not under control – 110.5 hectares in size – located in the Deer Lake Complex
- Red Lake 27 – Not under control – 259.0 hectares in size – located in the Deer Lake Complex
- Red Lake 55 – Lightning-caused – Not under control – 201 hectares in size – located northwest of the community of North Spirit Lake
- Red Lake 57 – Not under control – 87 hectares in size – located southwest of the community of Sandy Lake.Sioux Lookout District had 28 active fires on the evening of July 7.
MNR FireRanger Crew Leader Steph eligh puts water on Red74. Photo by Darrell Carter, courtesy Ontario MNR
Fires of note in this district include:
- Sioux Lookout 35 – Lightning-caused – Not under control – 78999.0 hectares in size – located southeast of Pickle Lake.
There is a possibility of some smoke drift into the community of Mishkeegogamang which is west of the fire. FireRangers crews had helicopter bucket support to drop water on the northern fingers of this fire. Infrared scanning continues to help pinpoint hot spots for crews to dig out and extinguish. An Emergency Area Order is in place with travel restrictions on the Albany River in the area of the fire.
- Sioux Lookout 61 – Lightning-caused – Being observed – 1,100 hectares in size – located southwest of the community of Cat Lake.
- Sioux Lookout 64 – Being observed – 2,500 hectares in size – located southwest of the community of Cat Lake.
MNR FireRanger Crew Leader jessica Lange hoses down hotspots on Red74. Photo by Darrell Carter, courtesy Ontario MNR
ACTIVE FIRES
There were 73 active fires in the Northwest Region on the evening of July 7, affecting an area of 108, 904 hectares. Of these fires, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Districts have the highest count at 42 and 28 respectively. However, all districts in the region are committed to fire activity as FireRanger crews from both the Northwest and Northeast regions of Ontario provide support to the fires.
In addition to the firefighters on the ground, aerial operation support is provided by Ontario’s CL-415 heavy waterbombers, air attack on birddogs and detection aircraft looking for new fires. Two heavy waterbombers and a Birddog unit from Quebec is in the Northwest Region to aid in the firefighting effort. Manitoba is providing quick strike air attack assistance into the western border of the region when needed.
Air Attack is directed by skilled specialists from a Birddog aircraft.
Helicopter lands to drop of firefighters on Red74. Photo by Darrell Carter, courtesy Ontario MNR
Forest Fire Hazard
The weather forecast is calling for sunny skies across the region on Friday with currently high relative humidity forecast to drop to 30 and 40 percent near the Manitoba border with southeasterly winds and temperatures in the mid twenties. High humidity helps to moderate the fire hazard, but as humidity levels drop the fire hazard will increase.
SAFETY MESSAGE
For more information, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention –
People who are planning on enjoying a campfire must keep their fire small, build it on bare rock or dirt, never leave it unattended and make sure it is put dead out before leaving the site.
For those living or visiting in a municipality or First Nations community should contact local fire officials for bylaws on burning..
MORE INFO
- Map of Current Fires in Ontario
- Report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473)
- Information updates are available on the Forest Fire Information Hotline at 1-888-258-8842
- For the provincial outlook from the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program visit ontario.ca/forestfire
MNR FireRangers Steph Eligh and Jessica Lange work the edge of Red74. Photo by Darrell Carter, courtesy Ontario MNR
