Sixty-Six Active Fires in Northeast Region
by Isabelle Chenard
NORTH BAY – WILDFIRE Update – As of July 12, 2018, there are 66 active forest fires in the Northeast region. Of these, 26 are not yet under control, while 40 are either being held, under control or being observed.
There were 18 new starts in the northeast yesterday and we have already received several initial reports that are being investigated by detection aircraft this morning.
Once again, no precipitation was recorded in the region overnight last night, and since June 29th which was the Friday before the Canada Day long weekend, we have recorded over 165,000 lightning strikes across the Ontario.
Twenty-Six Fires Not Under Control
The current forecast once again predicts the possibility of thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening in the Northeast region. We expect to continue to find several new starts as a result over the coming week.
Three CL415’s were working on North Bay 72 this last evening. This fire originated in Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park and has now spread northeast outside the park boundary. FireRangers have been setting up sprinklers in the area of Speight Township and Auld Township as a precaution. 3 fire crews were on the ground last night performing values protection and 6 crews are out this morning continuing to make progress. Sprinklers have been set up this morning on Skull Lake, Mendelson Lake (Speight Township) and are currently working around Big Spring Lake and Indian Lake (Auld Township).
Good progress was made on North Bay 69 yesterday, fire crews and heavy helicopters were effective in reducing fire activity for this fire which is the closest to the Temagami community.
Crews from British Columbia were assigned to North Bay 55 yesterday and have been working to suppress this fire. The air attack was dispatched to this fire later in the day to aid with firefighting activities.
Incident Management Teams
Incident Management Teams (IMTs) have mobilized in the region and are taking over priority fires in 3 areas:
- River Valley Cluster
- Lake Temagami Cluster
- Lady Evelyn Cluster
Resources from Out of Province
- Fire crews from Alberta and British Columbia arrived in Ontario on Monday, July 9 to assist with the fire situation. Fifteen 3 person crews from British Columbia and ten 4 person crews from Alberta have been deployed to priority fires July 10.
- CL415 water bombers and T802 Fire Boss amphibians equipment from Alberta and Saskatchewan are currently supporting Ontario’s fire suppression operations.
- Additional personnel have arrived from Alberta this morning in the form of five 4 person initial attack crews and a 19 person Incident Management Team as well as 8 support staff
Further Out of Province Resources Arriving later today:
- Nova Scotia has supplied five 4 person crews
- Prince Edward Island has supplied a 4 person crew
- Newfoundland has supplied a 4 person crew
- British-Columbia has supplied five more 3 person crews
- Northwest Territories has supplied six 4 person crews
- Saskatchewan has supplied two support staff
SMOKE CONCERNS
- Significant smoke was noted in several areas of Northeastern Ontario last night. Variable winds last evening saw smoke blowing into many communities from several active fires in the province. Smoke drifts are possible again today, with winds out of the south-southwest predominantly across the Northeast Region this afternoon.
- AFFES is reminding the public that if they do see flames or smoke, please report it, and stay away from the area in the interest of public safety.
- If you have questions or concerns about smoke and your health, please contact TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
(Several fires are causing significant smoke to drift into many communities in Northeastern Ontario over the past few days – North Bay 42 is pictured here)
Temagami area information
The MNRF has been advised by the Municipality of Temagami that the Mandatory Evacuation Orders from Temagami Shores, at the south edge of the town of Temagami, to Jessie Lake including Bell Island on Lake Temagami have been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert. Residents may return home, however, must remain on alert as they can be asked to leave again at any time based on the fire situation. Other Evacuation Alerts remain in place.
Travel Restrictions
MNRF issued an Emergency Area Order (EAO) for parts of the North Bay District due to active fires around Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, Lake Temagami, and the North Bay District.
The restrictions include:
- All travel and use of McLaren’s Road, Gibbons Road, Baie-Jeanne Road, South Pardo Road, St. Joseph’s Road including George Gordon and Iron Lake Road as outlined on the map.
- All modes of travel or access into Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park and all Crown lands as outlined on the map attached.
- Use of the Red Squirrel Lake Road beyond the Barmac Gate as outlined on the map.
- All use and occupation of Crown land or within 500 metres of the described closed roads on the map.
- Please visit Ontario.ca/forestfire as this information is being updated regularly.
For information about these travel restrictions: 705-475-5546
For inquiries by members of the public contact:705-564-6165
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 up to date information on current fires in the province or to check the forest fire hazard in your area, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire
For guidelines on safe outdoor fire management ontario.ca/fireprevention