FIRES CONTINUE AT PUKASKWA
HERON BAY, ON – Pukaskwa National Park of Canada continues to monitor 3 lightning fires and the Cascade Lake prescribed fire site.
The Cascade Lake prescribed fire operation was completed on September 10th using a helicopter equipped with an aerial ignition device. The total area burned was approximately 215 hectares. The prescribed burn site area is now exhibiting very little activity. It is expected to smoulder in a few isloated areas for the next few weeks. These isolated, smouldering pockets are contained by natural boundaries and will self-extinguish with the onset of colder temperatures.
Cascade Lake prescribed burn . Photo courtesy Parks Canada
Aerial view of Cascade Lake prescribed burn. Photo courtesy Parks Canada.
Cascade Lake is a 1000 hectare mixed-wood site that has been managed with four separate operations over the past several years. Pukaskwa’s fire team is now close to meeting its goal of regenerating 65% of the site. This will lead to a healthier and more biodiverse ecosystem.
Four lightning-started fires remain within the park boundaries.Three are located on remote ridgetop areas within the coastal zone of the park, and the fourth is located in the interior of the park. The largest fires (1 & 2) are along the coast and are 15 hectares each. The remaining two are less than one hectare each.
These fires are also exhibiting minimal spreading activity and will smoulder until self-extinguished by natural elements. The park’s fire team will continue to closely monitor moisture conditions of the forest biomass, to ensure that conditions remain optimal for self-extinguishment.
Wildfire and prescribed fires are an important part of the cycle of healthy forest succession. Pukaskwa’s fire management plan and information about the fire program are available atwww.pc.gc.ca/pukaskwa. Updates will be posted on the “What’s New” section of the home page.
Due to the isolated locations, these fires pose no risk to park visitors or property.
Click to enlarge. Courtesy Parks Canada
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF THE PRESCRIBED FIRE IS:
Cascade Lake (see map)
- 80 kilometres west of Wawa
- 72 kilometres southeast of Marathon
- 68 kilometres from White River
- 10 kilometres from Lake Superior
