Ongoing vigilance urged as fire season begins in Ontario

NORTHWEST FIRE REGION – April 25, 2024, 17:30 CDT – With the onset of the fire season starting April 1, the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services are closely monitoring the Northwest Region where multiple wildland fires have been reported. Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations are now in effect, and the public is reminded to adhere strictly to these guidelines to prevent further outbreaks.

Current Fire Situation: As of the latest update, there is one active wildland fire:

• Fort Frances 1 (FOR001): This fire was detected on the afternoon of April 25, approximately 5 kilometers northwest of Gameland, covering an area of 0.5 hectares and is currently not under control.

Additionally, three fires that were recently active have been successfully extinguished:

• Nipigon 1 (NIP001): Located west of the Greenstone Regional Airport near Highway 584, this 0.1-hectare fire was confirmed and called out on April 23.
• Dryden 1 (DRY001): This 0.1-hectare fire was reported near Bailey Creek at the south end of Route Lake and was extinguished on April 24.
• Kenora 1 (KEN001): Occurring near Whitedog Lake in Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, this 0.6-hectare fire was also declared out on April 25.

Fire Hazard Levels: The fire hazard remains low to moderate on the eastern side of the Northwest Region, while the western side is experiencing moderate to high hazard levels.

Safety and Prevention: Residents are encouraged to practice safe burning methods, such as composting or using local landfill services to dispose of yard waste and woody debris. Those who must burn are required to:

• Initiate fires no sooner than two hours before sunset.
• Extinguish fires no later than two hours after sunrise.
• Maintain adequate tools and water to manage fires effectively.

Reporting Fires:

• For fires north of the French and Mattawa rivers, contact 310-FIRE.
• For fires south of these rivers, dial 9-1-1.

Stay Informed: For ongoing updates and fire prevention tips, follow Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) at @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet. Additional information about current fire situations can be found at www.ontario.ca/forestfire.