THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE Update – There were two new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the evening of May 11. Thunder Bay Fire Number 14 is under control at 1.0 hectare and is located near Kajander Lake. Thunder Bay Fire Number 15 is not under control at 5 hectares in size.
One fire of note is Kenora 018, in the Ingolf area about 55 kilometers west of Kenora. It was last estimated at 5,800 hectares in size on May 11, and is not under control. Cooler, damp weather over the next few days will assist ground crews to continue to make progress with suppression efforts. Under the present weather conditions, the fire is not spreading.
An Incident Management Team has been assigned to the fire and crews are making good progress tying the fire into natural barriers on the east flank. Crews are establishing hose lines in Ingolf, and on the east and west flanks of the fire. While crews continue to make progress, Kenora Fire 18 remains not under control; shifts in weather can lead to conditions changing quickly. Residents are urged to be vigilant and take extreme care.
Another fire of note is Red Lake Fire 003 which is listed as not under control and is straddling the border between Ontario and Manitoba. We are remapping the fire and will have an updated size following that.
The Ontario portion of the fire is located in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Ontario Parks strongly cautions people to avoid the southwest portion of the park while suppression action is under way. Assessment for closures of routes or portage continue so people are advised to check with the park office for updates and information on possible route or access closures. The contact number is 807-727-1329.
Restricted Fire Zone
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has declared a Restricted Fire Zone in much of Northwestern Ontario to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
Effective May 07 at 0001 daylight time, the Restricted Fire Zone was put in place and will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Under the Restricted Fire Zone all open fires are prohibited. Campfires may be allowed at some organized campgrounds or parks that use approved fire pits and meet certain other criteria. Campers should check with the owners or operators first. Within the Restricted Fire Zone area, people can still use portable gas stoves for cooking and warmth but the public is asked to exercise extreme caution. Fire staff and conservation officers will strictly enforce the restrictions on open burning.
Emergency Area Order – restricted travel on designated roads
An Emergency Area Order has been declared in the Kenora District over Kenora Fire 018. The fire has road restrictions under this Emergency Area Order. All travel and use of the Gundy Lake Road from the Junction north of Hwy 17 is prohibited; White Road is closed at the intersection of the White Road and the Malachi Lake Road; the Ingolf Road at the Ontario Manitoba border. Travel is prohibited unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the Kenora District of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. All use and occupation of Crown Land on or within 500 meters of the described closed roads above is prohibited. This Order came into effect at 4:35 PM Central Daylight Time on May 6, 2016 and will remain in effect until such time as the order is revoked.
Out of Province
Ontario deployed 82 personnel on the afternoon of May 6 to support firefighting efforts in Alberta.
For more information about the current fire situation, the active fires map and the restricted fire zones go to ontario.ca/forestfire
The Northwest Region Fire Information Hotline is available for general information updates – 1-888-258-8842
Kenora Fire 018 Public Information – 807-548-1919
Woodland Caribou Provincial Park – 807-727-1329
Report forest fires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
