SUDBURY – Firerangers are making steady progress on wildfires in Northeastern Ontario.
Northeast Fire Region
August 11, 2018
Time of Report 8:30am
- On the morning of August 11, there are 44 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 6 are not yet under control, 38 are either being held, under control or being observed.
- There were two new fires confirmed yesterday and four fires extinguished.
- North Bay 121 is not yet under control at 0.2 of a hectare
- Parry Sound 42 is being held at 0.3 of a hectare
Incident Management Teams
- Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are in place in the region. They are managing priority fires in the following areas:
- Lady Evelyn Cluster
- Parry Sound 33
Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster
- North Bay Fire 072 has not grown in size and remains at 27, 285.7 ha and is listed as Being Held.
- Most of the values protection that was put in place has now been removed.
- There have been some changes made to the travel restrictions around North Bay 72. A detailed map is available atOntario.ca/forestfire
Parry Sound 33
- No growth on the fire yesterday; it remains at 11, 362 hectares.
- With the adjustment to the Implementation Order, people are able to return to their cottages and residences. A daytime travel restriction remains for Pickerel River and Key River. For details and a map visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.
- Crews continue to make good progress in the interior of the fire, using air support as needed. This includes areas of deep-seeded ground fire along the northeast flank.
- Infrared scanning continues to take place, helping crews to track and extinguish hotspots
- The evacuation order issued by the Municipality of Killarney for residents in the areas of Travers, Allen, Struthers, Kilpatrick, Bigwood (including Hartley Bay Road), a portion of Mowat, the Unsurveyed Area, 14 Mile Island and French River Provincial Park still remains in effect. For information, call the municipality at 705-287-2424.
- The evacuation alert issued by the Municipality of French River has been rescinded. For more information please visitwww.frenchriver.ca.
(Photo of Parry Sound 33 taken in late July by Matt Bell Fire Information Officer from Alberta ** This photo is not representative of current fire behaviour**)
- For updates on highway conditions, including closures, please call 511.
- For information about the fire situation: 1-888-220-7242
- For media inquiries: 705-564-6156
- For inquiries about French River Provincial Park restrictions: 705-857-1630 ext. 224
- For Parry Sound District information, including calls related travel restrictions or to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call 1-888-220-7242
- For Sudbury District information, including calls related to travel restrictions or to the recommendation of evacuation alerts, call 1-888-220-7242
Resources From Out of Province
- Ontario is receiving support from across Canada, the United States and Mexico to assist with the fire situation. A total of 469 firefighters and support staff are currently in the province.
- Alberta is providing personnel and equipment.
- British Columbia is providing equipment.
- Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.
- Northwest Territories is providing personnel and equipment.
- Nova Scotia is providing equipment.
- New Brunswick is providing personnel.
- Saskatchewan is providing personnel and equipment.
- Quebec is providing personnel and aircraft.
- Prince Edward Island is providing personnel
- Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.
- Mexico is providing personnel.
- Parks Canada is providing personnel.
Restricted Fire Zone in Effect
Due to recent precipitation and good progress being made in containing existing forest fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has removed the Restricted Fire Zone for some areas of the Northeast Region effective 12:00pm(noon) August 10. The zones still affected include areas north of Rosseau, northwest to Espanola and Cartier, over to the Quebec border including Temagami and Mattawa north of the Mattawa River. This includes Parry Sound, Burk’s Falls, Powassan, North Bay and Greater Sudbury. For a visual representation of the affected areas please visit our interactive map Ontario.ca/forestfire.
If you live in an area outside the adjusted Restricted Fire Zone, be sure before you burn to check with your local municipality to ensure there’s no fire ban issued in your area. We’d also like to remind the public to take extra care when having a campfire and to follow the safety tips listed at Ontario.ca/forestfire.
Travel Restrictions Still in Place for Some Areas of the Northeast
In order to ensure MNRF and emergency officials are able to continue fire suppression operations in areas affected by large forest fires, travel restrictions remain in place near the Parry Sound 33, North Bay 72 and Pembroke 6 forest fires. These restrictions are in place to ensure public safety and the safety of emergency personnel working in the affected areas. Although some restrictions have been removed, others remain in place. For information on travel restrictions and travel permits, please call 1-888-220-7242. For a visual representation of the affected areas please visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.
Smoke concerns
- AFFES is reminding the public that if they do see flames or smoke, please report it by calling 310-Fire(3473), and stay away from the area in the interest of public safety.
Fire numbers and online information
- To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE
- To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.
- Follow us on Twitter: @ONForestFires / @ONFeudeforêt
Prepared by Shayne McCool
