Northwest Region Fire Situation Update

Written by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on 01 July 2012

Please Note the next update will be provided Tuesday July 3, 2012. There will be no Information Officer working Monday July 2, 2012.

More scattered lightning through the Red Lake, Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden and Thunder Bay Districts was recorded in the last 24hrs. Lightening is currently being recorded in the Gerladton and Nipigon areas. This new lightening will start new fires over the next few days. AFFES will maintain high alerts for FireRanger crews and aircraft in anticipation for new starts.

As a warm front moves west to east over the region in the next 24hrs, we can expect light winds, low relative humidity and temperatures in the low 30’s. This weather will show where the holdover lightning has caused new fires.

The forest fire hazard remains high for most of the region.

New Fires – July 1, 2012

Kenora 52 was confirmed this afternoon and was located on Lount Lake. This fire is small at 0.1ha and exhibiting minimal fire activity. No problems are anticipated with this fire at this time.
Nipigon 27 was detected by MNR detection aircraft and is located northeast of Ogoki River Provincial Park area. Air attack and FireRangers are actioning this 0.1ha fire.

Additional reports of forest fires are coming in and FireRangers are in the process of confirming these fires. More fires are expected to be confirmed before night fall tonight.

Kenora Fire 27 was reported in the Ingolf area on June 28. Fast response from Ontario and Manitoba helped contain the blaze. Photo MNR

As a result of the aggressive initial attack on Kenora Fire 47 it was prevented from spreading to surrounding cottages. Photo MNR

Fire behaviour on Kenora Fire 47 is reported as smouldering. FireRanger crews remain at the site, with an established fireline. The fire is classed as under control at 2.0 hectares in size. Photo MNR

June 30 Fires

Kenora 48 was located east of Big Canon Lake and is now OUT. This fire was small at 0.1ha and cause by lightening.
Kenora 49 was located south of Big Canon Lake and is OUT. The was fire 0.1ha and was also caused by lightening
Kenora 50 was located in the Shoal Lake area. This fire is classed as OUT at 0.1ha in size.
Kenora 51 was in the Longbow Lake area, west of highway 71. This fire is classed OUT at 0.3ha and was another lightning caused fire.

Red Lake also got a new fire June 30 from the fresh lightening in the area. Red Lake 33 was located near the Ontario / Manitoba border, in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. This fire is classed as Under Control at 0.3ha and is expected to be called OUT tonight (July 1).

The forest fire hazard is high across the whole region. Continued nice weather will keep this hazard up. People are reminded that they are responsible for any outdoor fire. The requirements for safe management of outdoor fires can be found at www.ontario.ca/fireprevention.