THUNDER BAY – Wild Fire Update – There were four new fires confirmed by the afternoon of August 18. Nipigon Fire Number 58 is under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Cammack Lake. Dryden Fire Number 23 is not under control at 0.3 hectares and is located near Basket Lake. Dryden Fire Number 24 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located near Sturgeon Lake. Nipigon Fire Number 59 is not under control at 1.0 hectares and is located near Ogoki Lake.
The forest fire hazard is moderate to high in the southern sectors and low in the northern sectors of the Northwest Region. The fire hazard is forecast to drop to low across most of the region with the incoming rain.
Out of Province Deployment
Ontario is supporting forest fire fighting efforts in the United States. There are 108 personnel deployed to Missoula, Montana including FireRanger crews, a Fire Behaviour Analyst, and Agency Representatives. Ontario is sending two CL-415 waterbombers and a Birddog aircraft with an Air Attack Officer to Montana today.
Ontario continues to supply equipment including fire hose, sprinkler kits, pumps and chainsaws to Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba (Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center) and Saskatchewan.
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).
