THUNDER BAY – Time of Report 18:25 – There are no new fires confirmed in the Northeast Region by the afternoon of June 3.
The current fire hazard ranges from low to high across the region, with areas Northwest of Wawa presenting the highest hazard.
The very first initiatives in Ontario to be nationally recognized by FireSmart Canada as official FireSmart Communities held their annual Wildfire Prevention and Preparedness Day today in Elliot Lake. First recognized in 2016, Dunlop Shores and Quicke & Popeye Lakes gathered to discuss how they can continue to further implement strategies to reduce the risk of forest fires spreading to their properties, homes and cottages.
Led by JoAnne Matheson, the group collaborated to perform brush clearing, pruning and hazard reduction at one of their long-time elderly neighbors’ residence. “It’s great to have our community members come together to help those of us who need assistance in making our properties more FireSmart. By helping our neighbors, we collectively reduce the hazard on a larger scale, and we make our community safer” said Matheson when the event was wrapping up this afternoon. Another member of the team, Ann Hutchinson said that she was “very happy to be involved in this FireSmart initiative and more Ontarians should get involved: because involved citizens make stronger communities.”
David Levey, the property owner where work was performed today was thankful to his neighbors, the local chipping company who volunteered their time and equipment, and to members of AFFES who helped reduce the hazard of a forest fire spreading to his home.
For more information about how to officially become a FireSmart community, visit www.firesmartcanada.ca.
To see a complete list of fires across the province click on our interactive map. You can also get the latest update on the condition of any fire by clicking the fire icon.
Fire numbers and online information:
- To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE (3473)
- To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.
- Follow us on Twitter : in English @ONForestFires or in French @ONFeuDeForêt
- For guidelines on safe outdoor fire management ontario.ca/fireprevention
Report prepared by Isabelle Chenard
