Forest Fire Situation Update – Northwest Region / Restricted Fire Zones in Northeast
There were three new forest fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by early evening on July 21. Additional resources have been requested by Ontario to help support the firefighting effort. Such request go through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It had been a smoky morning across the region as weather conditions and smoke from fires, particularly those in the north drifted south and east. As the day progressed the smoke lifted somewhat. The forest fire reporting line received numerous general inquiry calls about smoky conditions. The public was asked to call the fire information hotline at 1-888-258-8842 for regular updates instead, to free the emergency lines for calls. Smoky conditions are expected to persist depending on wind and weather. For questions about health and smoke, people are asked to call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
- Values protection sprinklers are spraying down a cabin at Red Lake District Fire Number 50, raising the humidity around the building. Smoky conditions were reported across the region on July 21 as efforts continue on managing multiple forest fires across the Northwest Region.
Rain is in the forecast for the central and northern portions of the region which will bring temporary relief. The forest fire hazard should be moderate through the north on July 22 if sufficient rain falls, but it will remain high in the far northern tip of the region and also across the southern
districts. By mid-week the effects of that storm system will wear off and the entire region is expected to be back in a high hazard.
At this time there are 66 active fires in the region covering an area of about 16,285 hectares. The fire are shown on the map below and up to date fire information is available on the website atontario.ca/forestfire
Map of Active Fires in the Northwest Region – July 21
Northeast Region – Restricted Fire Zone
A Restricted Fire Zone Order previously in place for Northeastern Ontario has been replaced with a smaller Restricted Fire Zone Order of zones 21 and 22. This adjusted order encompasses the general areas of Espanola, Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, North Bay and Temagami. The previous order has been replaced because the fire hazard has lessened in some northern areas of the Northeast Region. The Sudbury-Manitoulin and North Bay areas remain under a high to extreme fire hazard. New wildfires are likely to continue appearing until significant rainfall arrives.For more information, please call the RFZ hotline at 1-866-357-8422.
A Restricted Fire Zone is also in effect for Algonquin Park.
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. Starting or tending a campfire in a Restricted Fire Zone can lead to a fine of up to $1,000.
The forest fire reporting number in Ontario is 310-FIRE (3473)
