Forest Fire Situation Update
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NORTHWEST REGION
There were no new fires in the region to the time of this report on May 09.
There was one new fire reported in the region on May 7, Kenora District Fire Number 7 was a smouldering grass fire near the Wabaseemoong waste disposal site. This fire is out at 1.3 hectares.
There were three new fires reported in the Northwest Region on May 6, two in the Northwest Region’s Kenora District and one in the Sioux Lookout District. Kenora District Fires Number 05 and 06 were grass fires in the community of Wabaseemoong northwest of Kenora. They are both out at 0.5 hectares and 0.2 hectares respectively. Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 12 was reported on the evening of May 6 as grass burning along the CN rail right of way east of Sioux Lookout. It was declared out the same evening.
The total number of fires since April 1 in the region is 36 with a total area of 26.1 hectares burned.
FireRanger crew proficiency training continues across the region.
The weather forecast is calling for rain across the region. A dry slot could develop across the central parts of the region and divide the rain into a northern branch and along the international border between Ontario and Minnesota. There is a slight risk of lightning along the border as well. Temperatures will be in the mid teens with light winds from the south.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds people that they are required to follow safe outdoor fire management as set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario. In particular, there are restrictions on day burning of brush and grass fires. They are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset, be out no later than two hours after sunrise. All fires must be attended at all times and put dead out before leaving.
Further information is available at on the fire prevention website at ontario.ca/fireprevention.
People living in organized municipalities and in First Nations communities should check with their local fire officials on bylaws for outdoor fires.
Report forest fires using the toll-free fire reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).
Northeast Region
There were five new fires reported in the Northeast Region on Monday, May 9. Parry Sound 2 was along a railway right of way and has been called out at two hectares. Kirkland Lake 2 is under control at 7.5 hectares. The fire is located southeast of Engleton and is human caused. Sudbury 5, located north of Levack is under control at 0.4 hectares. Sudbury 6, located on Whitefish Lake First Nation is being held at 6.2 hectares. Sudbury 7, along the railway right of way in the Markstay-Warren area, is under control at 6.0 hectares. There are no issues anticipated with any of the active fires.
The fire hazard in the Northeast Region is moderate to high and resident burning is the main area of concern for fire suppression specialists. When cleaning up wood and grass debris, the ministry suggests composting, chipping or taking debris to a landfill site instead of burning. If you still decide to burn debris, residents are reminded that they are required to follow safe outdoor fire guidelines. In particular, there are restrictions on day burning of brush and grass. Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset, be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise, attended at all times and put dead out before leaving.
The hazard should remain moderate to high for most of the region until the weekend when northern parts of the region are forecast to get various amounts of rain. Areas in the Highway 17 corridor and further south are expected to retain a moderate to high hazard throughout the week and into the weekend.
If you live within a municipality, contact your local municipal office or fire department BEFORE burning.
Be FireSmart! For more information, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention and report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).
