THUNDER BAY – Wild Fire Update – Heading into the weekend, smoke from western Canadian wild fires is making its way into Northwestern Ontario.
There are smoke and air quality advisories in effect for the western parts of the region.
Environment Canada reports, “Forest fires over Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba are producing significant smoke plumes that are being carried southeastward by mid and low-level atmospheric flow. Trajectory models indicate that smoke from these fires could affect the regions today. It is unknown how much of the smoke will remain aloft or affect ground level. Thus it is possible that parts of Northwestern Ontario could experience deteriorated air quality from this smoke.”
For information on how to reduce risk, and your personal contribution to pollution levels, and for current and forecasted AQHI values please refer to www.airhealth.ca.
There was one new fire confirmed by the afternoon of July 2. Nipigon District Fire Number 38 is being observed at 117 hectares and is located near Hutchins Lake.
Seven fires were reported on July 1st. Six of the fires were in Sioux Lookout District and one was in Red Lake District, the majority of them are being observed.
Crews continue to work on the Muskrat Dam Fire Complex (Sioux Lookout District Fire Numbers 31, 32, 33, and 40) and have made excellent progress in the last few days. Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 31 is being held at 34 hectares and Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 33 is under control at 2.5 hectares. Also, Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 40 is under control at 1.3 hectares. More crews were placed on Sioux Lookout District Fire Number 32 this morning.
Reconnaissance flights continue across the Northwest Region to observe fires in the north. These flights provide updates on fire behaviour and are useful when planning values protection in the far north. Nipigon District Fire Number 23 has grown in size and is now 4670 hectares. Sprinkler units are now set-up on values in close proximity to monitored fires in the far north.
The forest fire hazard is low in the southern sectors and high to extreme in Sioux Lookout and Nipigon districts. Rain is in the forecast for this evening.
Out of Province
Ontario is supporting firefighting efforts in the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Parks Canada and Saskatchewan. We currently have 125 personnel deployed out of province. These include FireRanger Crews, Agency Representative, Strike Team Leaders, and Ignition Specialists. Ontario is also supplying Parks Canada, Saskatchewan and Alberta with firefighting equipment to aid in suppression efforts.
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).
