THUNDER BAY – WILD FIRE UPDATE – There were no new forest fires reported by the afternoon of June 11 in the Northwest Region. There are eight active fires in the region. Five lightning-caused fires are being monitored as they burn in remote locations between Kasabonika and Webequie more than 500 kilometers north of Thunder Bay in the Nipigon District. Fire assessments have been done on all fires to ensure there are no threats to communities or values.
Red Lake District has three fires in the far north. Red Lake Fires 007, 010 and 011 are all classed as under control and are showing no fire activity. FireRangers have completed their work on the fires and returned to base. Infrared scanning is planned to be done on the fires June 12.
Two fires have been declared out in the region.
Kenora District Fire Number 028, located about 45 kilometers west of Kenora, is out at 187.3 hectares in size. It was a human-caused fire that started on May 23 and disrupted travel on Shoal Lake Road for several hours on the first day, and took sustained attack to finally be declared out.
Nipigon District Fire Number 14, started on June 6 and was declared out at 2.5 hectares in size on June 11. This fire was located near the northern community of Kasabonika and was responded to by the Community Fire Officer and a FireRanger crew.
The weather forecast is calling for mostly clear and sunny weather into the weekend. This will result in a moderate to high forest fire hazard in the western sectors, with a low hazard in the east that will rise in the following days.
Out of Province
Ontario continues to support Alberta firefighting efforts with 101 personnel from Ontario along with pumps and hose equipment. Additional resources are expected to travel to Alberta in the next two days.
The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program is reminding people that they are responsible for safe outdoor fire management and must follow guidelines set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario including no day burning of brush or grass fires. Campfires are to be tended at all times and put out before leaving.
For further tips on how to be FireSmart, visit ontario.ca/firesmart
For more information about the current fire situation and the active fires map, ontario.ca/forestfire
The Northwest Region Fire Information Hotline is available for general information updates – 1-888-258-8842
Report forest fires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
