West & East Region Forest Fire Situation Update
West Fire Region
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
There will not be a media advisory for July 1st 2010. The next advisory will come Friday July 2 2010
June 30 produced another quiet day in the West Fire Region
There are six fires active in the region. The fire hazard is moderate for most of the region. The Far North portions of Greenstone, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake hold a high fire hazard.
Nipigon fire 44 is Being Held near the community of Summer Beaver. The Community Fire Officer is working on the small 0.2ha fire. There are no problems anticipated.
Nipigon fire 41 continues to be monitored southeast of Summer Beaver and has slowly grown to 35ha. The fire is quiet and smouldering along the forest floor.
Sioux Lookout fire 51 is Under Control near the community of Muskrat Dam. MNR fire crews and local fire crew’s from the community continue to work the fire. No problems are anticipated.
Sioux Lookout fires 49, 50, and 52 continue to be monitored in the Far North. These fires are in remote and isolated areas. With the exception of Sioux Lookout 49 that has a few values left behind from winter roads, there are no values in the fire locations.
One crew from Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Pickle Lake, Greenstone and Red Lake, and an agency representative have deployed today bound northern Manitoba to help battle a huge 55 000 plus hectare fire.
Five crews from the East Fire Region as well as two division supervisors, and one fire behavioural analyst, went to Manitoba today.
Currently in Manitoba, Ontario has sent two 415 waterbombers, 1 birddog aircraft, 1 air attack officer, ten four-person Type One Initial Attack crews, 1 agency representative, 1 radio operator, structural values protection unit and a values protection team which consists of three overhead staff and three FireRanger crews.
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.
East Fire Region
June 30, 2010
One new fire was confirmed on June 29. North Bay 52 was reported at 0.1 hectares and has since been called out.
Hearst 31, reported on the evening of June 25, is 485 hectares in size and is not yet under control. Good progress is being made by FireRangers, who have been assisted by recent rainfall. The fire is approximately 40 kilometres northeast of Kapuskasing, north of Torrance Lake, along Tucker Creek. 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.
As Canada Day approaches and many residents may be preparing to set off fireworks, it is important to remember that residue from fireworks must be completely extinguished. For more information click here.
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!
To view the current forest fire hazard in your area, click here to view the Fire Danger Map.
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 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.
