Ontario Forest Fire Situation Update
To report a forest fire call 310-FIRE (3473)
Out of Province
Eighty people returned from Alberta including FireRangers, an Incident Management Team, Agency Representatives, Division Supervisors and Strike Team Leaders. They will take some days off for rest and then return to work in Ontario.
Remaining in Alberta are 85 personnel who deployed there last week including FireRangers, Agency Representatives, Division Supervisors, Strike Team Leaders, Helicopter Officers, a Supply Unit Leader a Service Branch Director and an Incident Management Team.
Ontario is keeping adequate resources to continue fighting fires in this province while supporting Alberta.
Northeast Region
There are 7 new fires to report in the Northeast Region, as of mid-afternoon on May 23. Parry Sound 11 covers 1.0 hectare and is not under control; Sudbury 21 covers 0.1 of a hectare and is not under control; Bancroft 2 covers 0.1 of a hectare and is not under control; Algonquin Park 1 is being held at 1.3 hectares; Wawa 5 covers 2.2 hectares and is not under control; Parry Sound 10 is being held at 0.7 of a hectare; and Wawa 6 is not under control at 1.5 hectares. There are 3 other active fires in the region: Parry Sound 6 is under control at 1.2 hectares; Sudbury 20 is being held at 0.4 of a hectare; and Kemptville 1 is being held at 1.0 hectare.
The forest fire hazard in the region ranges from high to extreme except in the far North. Please refer to the Forest Fire Information Map to verify the forest fire hazard in your area.
Northwest Region
The Restricted Fire Zone remains in effect in the Northwest Region and enforcement patrols are being conducted from morning to night, ensuring people are not in violation of the restriction on outdoor fires. Charges and fines have been laid as a result of these patrols.
By the evening of May 22 there were four new forest fires in the Northwest Region and more are expected by the end of the day. Despite rain in the forecast, the forest fire hazard may remain high to extreme, depending on how much rain falls and in what locations.
On Kenora 18, Crews continue to make excellent progress consolidating the perimeter of the fire; however, the fire remains listed as not under control at 5,829 ha in size.
While Kenora Fire 18 continues to respond well to suppression efforts, there is still a lot of work to be done to fully contain this fire. Crews are actioning hot spots identified through infrared scanning along the entire perimeter and within the interior of the fire.
Although there is no expectation that the fire will grow outside of its current perimeter, fire conditions and behaviour can change quickly. Residents are reminded to remain vigilant, and to stay clear of all fire crew operations and fire perimeter areas.
Red Lake Fire 003 which is listed as not under control and is straddling the border between Ontario and Manitoba. The fire is 75,000 hectares in size. This total includes both the Manitoba and Ontario portions of the fire. Suppression resources continue to arrive on this fire and are being strategically placed on the fire line.
Aircraft flight restrictions over Red Lake fire
There is a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) advisory in place for Red Lake District Fire Number 003 regarding flight operations over the fires, including the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park area west of Red Lake.
Aircraft requiring authorization to enter or depart the NOTAM area can contact the following:
Red Lake Fire Management Headquarters: 807-727-2055
Firefighting aircraft are using and monitoring VHF-AM Frequency 122.40 within both restricted flight areas.
