East & West Region Forest fire situation updates
East Fire Region
June 28, 2010
There have been no new fires reported for June 28. Hearst 31, reported on the evening of June 25, is 485 hectares in size and is not yet under control. It is approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kapuskasing, north of Torrance Lake, directly along Tucker Creek. With the help of constant water bombing yesterday and some over night rainfall, FireRanger crews are making good progress on the fire. There are no values threatened, however this area is commonly used for wilderness recreation. Anyone within Torrance Lake, Hopkins Creek area should be aware that smoky conditions may exist as a result of the fire.
Crews from the East Fire Region are assisting in both Quebec and Manitoba.
Regardless of the fire hazard always build a safe campfire. Build your fire on bare soil or exposed rock, sheltered from the wind and away from tents or buildings. Keep a pail of water and shovel nearby and make sure the fire is not left unattended. Keep your fire small and when you’re finished, make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site. Remember to DROWN, STIR, DROWN!
Residents are reminded that if found responsible for a forest fire, they can be charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and/or be liable for the costs of suppressing the fire. This cost can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Be FireSmart, visit www.ontario.ca/fireprevention for more information on how to prevent forest fires.
310-FIRE (3473) is the new, toll-free emergency forest fire reporting phone number across northern Ontario. The number will operate north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.
West Fire Region
Received Monday, June 28 2010
June 26 was a quiet day across the West Fire Region, no new fires were reported.
There are five active fires on the board, all in Far North locations.
Nipigon fire 41 is being monitored just south of Summer Beaver, and southeast of Sheridan Lake. It is approximately 30ha’s. The cause of this fire is lightning and no problems are anticipated.
Four fires continue to burn in the Far North portion of Sioux Lookout District.
Sioux Lookout fire 49 is being monitored at 100ha in size and is located approximately 25km east of Musselwhite Mine. There are a few stranded vehicles in the area as a result of the quick deterioration of winter roads this spring, though not threatened yet, fire crews aren’t taking any chances and have administered values protection efforts to save the vehicles.
Sioux Lookout fire 50 is being monitored at 15ha and is located east of the Townshend Lake on outside of the most northern tip of Wabikimi Provincial Park.
Sioux Lookout fire 51 is Being Held at 24ha, northwest of the community of Muskrat Dam. One helicopter, four Type 1 Initial Attack crews, and local fire fighters from the community are committed to this fire. Last night fire crews reported a scarce skiff of snow in Muskrat Dam.
Sioux Lookout fire 52 is quietly being monitored at 0.2ha south of Williams Lake at Pipestone Provincial Park northwest of Pickle Lake.
The fire hazard remains high across the Far North portions of Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, and Greenstone. The rest of the West Fire Region is low to moderate and resources are adequate to respond to any fires in our province and in other provinces such as Manitoba and Quebec.
Ontario‘s 310-FIRE (3473) toll-free, emergency forest fire reporting number, makes reporting fires in northern Ontario easier and more efficient. 310-FIRE (3473) is an easy to remember number dedicated to forest fire reporting only. 310-FIRE (3473) is not available for satellite phones or from phones outside the province, so calls from these locations should go to local Fire Management Headquarters.
