THUNDER BAY – The forest fire hazard across Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario is varied.
West District Update
There was one new fire confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of August 9. Kenora District Fire Number 13 is not under control at 0.2 hectares (ha) and located near Long Lake. Three monitored fires remain active in the region. Red Lake District Fire Number 17 is being observed at 152 ha and is located in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.
Kenora District Fire Number 12 is being observed at 0.1 ha and is located on an island on Lake of the Woods.
Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 12 is being observed at 2.5 ha and is located near Jervis Bay Lake.
The degree of concern for fire behaviour is moderate to high across the region. For Saturday August 9, regions from Red Lake southwards will remain in a mix of sun and cloud. The north will see clouds and showers with a risk of thunderstorms. The forecast for Sunday August 10 is cloudy conditions with showers and isolated Thunderstorms becoming more frequent as a cold front pushes across the Northwest Region.
The Kenora Fire District is experiencing issues with residents burning brush during the day. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is reminding residents that no day burning is allowed between April 1st and October 31st. Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and must be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Have plenty of water available when having a campfire and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site. Report Forest Fires, call 310-FIRE (3473).
East District Update
Eight new fires were reported on August 8. Three of these have since been confirmed out, with the others either being held or under control. All but one recent fire occurred in the Sault Ste. Marie area, where the current forest fire hazard is high.
As of the time of publication, one new fire has been confirmed on August 9. Sault Ste. Marie 22 has been confirmed out.
Fire Hazard
The hazard for the Northeast Region currently ranges from moderate to high, with areas of greatest concern concentrated around Georgian Bay, Lake Superior and the Quebec border. Sunny skies are expected to continue across the region through Sunday as a result of a high pressure system. Warm temperatures are expected with highs in the high twenties to mid-thirties.
Regional Synopsis
There are currently eight active fires, none of which present an immediate danger to people or values. All active fires are either being held, being observed or are under control.
To date this season, 151 fires have been confirmed, burning a total of 4,083 ha of land.
Out of Province Deployment
There are now 252 personnel from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on assignment in British Columbia (127) and the Northwest Territories (125) to assist in ongoing forest fire management efforts.
Ontario has also provided equipment including 430 power pumps, 41 portable relay tanks, 6,000 lengths of hose and two values protection units to British Columbia.
