Restricted Fire Zone declared in portions of the Northwest Region
Fire Situation Update – Northwest Region
July 15, 2011 – 8pm
A Restricted Fire Zone Order has been declared for Northwestern Ontario in an area bounded by the CNR rail line, just north of Opasquia Provincial Park, west of Wabakimi Provincial Park and the Manitoba border. The order is in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during a period of high fire hazard.
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday July 16, 2011, a Restricted Fire Zone Order is in place and will remain in effect until conditions improve. The fire hazard is high to extreme. The long-term weather forecast offers no relief in the form of significant precipitation in this area of concern so active burning is expected to continue into next week.
In a Restricted Fire Zone, all burning permits are suspended and all open fires are prohibited. Campfires may be allowed at some organized campgrounds or parks that use approved fire pits and meet certain other criteria. Campers should check with the owners or operators first. Within the Restricted Fire Zone area, people can still use portable gas stoves for cooking and warmth but the public is asked to exercise extreme caution. Ministry of Natural Resources fire staff and conservation officers will strictly enforce the restrictions on open burning. The fine for starting or tending a campfire in a Restricted Fire Zone is $500.
Provincial Overview
In preparation for the busy fire weekend, Ontario has requested approximately 130 fire staff from out of province as additional resources. Fire has been active for several weeks in Ontario so it is imperative to recycle fires staff and give workers a well-deserved rest. Currently in Ontario, there are 227 fire staff from British Columbia and 9 aircraft from Albert and Quebec.
New Fires
There were three new forest fires reported in the Northwest Region by the evening of July 15, with one each in the districts of Nipigon, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout.
There were nine new fires by the evening of July 14 in the region, with one in the Dryden District, two in the Nipigon District, four in the Red Lake District and two in the Sioux Lookout District.
A CL-415 heavy waterbomber lifts off to attack a new fire. Photo courtesy MNR
Emergency Management
Evacuation Update:
- Evacuation of another 111 Stage 1 persons from Cat Lake is complete to Matachewan, adding to the 140 already in Kapuskasing.
- The return of Deer Lake residents from Greenstone will be complete by the end of the day, July 15, ahead of the original schedule.
- Sandy Lake, North Spirit Lake, Kee-way-win and Koocheching First Nations continue to plan for a potential evacuation of Stage 1 evacuees due to smoke in the communities.
Smoke issues will be evident in some communities down wind from fires in the far north. The First Nation Chiefs and Emergency Management Ontario, along with multiple federal and provincial agencies continue to discuss the fire situation and plan for potential evacuations, if required.
Fires of Note
Red Lake Fire 84 exhibits extreme fire behaviour, challenging firefighting. Photo courtesy MNRRed Lake District Fire Number 84 – Jack Welch Incident Management Team Red 84 - Photo by TrevorGauthier Courtesy OMNR
Red 84 - Photo by TrevorGauthier Courtesy OMNR
Red 84 - Photo by TrevorGauthier Courtesy OMNR
Red 84 - Photo by TrevorGauthier Courtesy OMNR
Red 84 - Photo by TrevorGauthier Courtesy OMNR
Red Lake 84 – lightning-caused – not under control – 11,187 ha hectares in size: This fire is located about 50 kilometres northeast of Ear Falls and has resulted in a burned power line that has disrupted power to the communities of Cat Lake, Pickle Lake, Slate Falls, Mishkeegogamang and Musselwhite Mines. Sprinklers are set up on five tourist camps in the area of the fire. There is restricted access on Wenasaga Road to the public where the Hydro line crosses north of One Island Lake. Evacuation of tourist outpost camps affected by the fire continues. Values protection is in place on structures north and east of the fire. Hydro One is working with five crews and the forest industry is constructing dozer lines on the northern side of fire.Pickle Lake Complex – Fred Welch Incident Management Team
Sioux Lookout Fire 70 – lightning-caused – not under control – 10,000 hectares in size: This fire is located about 25 kilometres southwest of Musselwhite Mine and about nine kilometres west of the road leading into the mine.
FireRanger crews worked on setting up sprinkler protection on values as a precautionary move on July 14 and work is being done to establish a perimeter on the east flank of the fire as well as the dispatch of an Ignition Team on July 15 to fight fire with fire by bringing it down to natural boundaries and stop the fire’s advance.
Sioux Lookout Fire 35 – lightning-caused – not under control – remains at 78,999 hectares in size: This fire is about nine kilometres east of Mishkeegogamang at its closest point. FireRangers continue to patrol for hot spots identified by infrared scanning, consolidating hose lines and working towards the interior of the fire.
Fire behaviour was more active on July 14 at the head and flank of the fire and in storm damaged areas in the interior.
Sioux Lookout Fire 38 – lightning-caused – being observed with some suppression action – 8,674 hectares in size: This fire is located about 16 kilometres north of Weagamow First Nation and was smouldering on July 14, although it was expected to show more activity under sunshine, warm weather and lower relative humidity. The strategy on this fire continued to be heli-bucketing, dropping water on hot spots from a bucket slung below a helicopter, and with firefighters working with hand tools to put out hot spots located by infrared scanning.
The Incident Command Team is set up at the Slate Falls Nation Band Office. Additional resources will be based at Cat Lake. There are 56 personnel on this fire complex.
Sprinklers and hoses have been set up at values located on Brownstone Lake, Graham Lake, Carrilon Lake, Shearstone Lake, and Birch Lake
Power is out in Pickle Lake, Mishkeegogamang, Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Musslewhite Mines due to Red Lake Fire 84.
No significant growth is anticipated on Red 26, 27 and 57. There has been a full infrared scan on Red 26 and Red 27. Red 26 is classed as being held. There will be a continuous perimeter patrol.
Red 27 may need some bucket support for mop up. There was some smoke but not too severe – more clouds than smoke. It is classed as being held. Red 57 had a perimeter scan 200 feet inside and outside the perimeter. Red 91 – will maintain protection of values and monitoring will continue on Red Fires 29 and 96.
Activity at Northwest Region Forest Fire Management Centre
There are currently 80 active fires in the Northwest Region with an area of 151, 902 hectares burned over. This brings the seasonal total in the region to 335 fires and an area burned of 156,622 hectares.
Forest Fire Hazard
The fire hazard is moderate in the southern portions of the region, roughly in an area from the TransCanada Highway 17 south. The fire hazard rises into the north to a high and extreme hazard into the Far North
Safety Message
A reminder of the Restricted Fire Zone in the north and northwest portions of the region which puts a ban on all outdoor fires. In those areas without a fire ban, the public is advised to manage their outdoor fires safely. It is the public’s responsibility to find out where the boundary lines for the Restricted Fire Zone prior to setting any outdoor fires.
- Forest fires can be reported by calling 310-FIRE (3473)
- Map of Current Active Fires
- Fire Danger Map
- For general fire questions: Forest Fire Information Hotline: 1-888-258-8842
- Smoke and health related questions: Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
Aircraft operations at the Dryden FMC. Photo by Trevor Gauthier Courtesy OMNR
