THUNDER BAY – The efforts to control Timmins #9 should be getting some help from nature later today. Weather conditions in the region should be including precipitation. Environment Canada is calling for rain starting Sunday. The weather service is forecasting a few showers beginning this morning with the risk of a thunderstorm. There will be more rain tonight, and Monday is forecast for showers begining in the morning, and ending late in the evening.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reports, “Lighter winds and cooler temperatures have allowed for aggressive suppression efforts on all fires within the Northeast Region. The Restricted Fire Zone is still in place for the Northeast Region. During this restriction all burning permits are suspended, and all open fires are prohibited. 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”.
The South Porcupine OPP is continuing to maintain its original evacuation of cottage areas in the Star Lake, Little Star Lake, Old Mill Campground, Keefer Lake, Boom Lake, Opishing Lake, Lucquer Lake, Dana-Jowsey Road, Aquesquaw Lake (Squaw Lake), Sewell Lake and Kenogamissis Lake (Bristol, McKeown, and Doyle Twps inclusive).
This evacuation is in place for public safety reasons stemming from an active forest fire which originated in an area north of Gogama on May 20th.
Additionally, Hwy 144 remains closed to all traffic, from the junction of Hwy 101 at 144 to the town of Gogama at Hwy 661.
Hwy 101 west of Timmins remains closed between the Malette Lumber Road and the Horwood Lake Road.
Persons vacating the Horwood Lake and surrounding area will be allowed to use Hwy 101 but only under the strict scrutiny of the OPP.
Once these persons have traveled east beyond the Malette Lumber Road, they cannot return until Hwy 101 is completely reopened when it is deemed safe to do so.
With public safety in mind, the progress of the forest fire is being closely monitored by the OPP in conjunction with the MNR.