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Ontario Forest Fire Update – August 3

Northeast Fire Region

  • By the evening of August 2, there were 47 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 21 are not yet under control, 26 are either being held, under control or being observed.
  • There were no new fires discovered today and one fire was extinguished.

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
    • Pembroke Cluster

Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster

  • North Bay 72 received a significant amount of precipitation today.
  • With the favourable weather, crews were able to continue consolidating control lines.
  • Infrared scanning is being utilized on the fires in this cluster to help find hot spots near fire perimeters.

Parry Sound 33

  • This fire has been remapped at 11,185 hectares.
  • Another great day for crews working and laying hose around the perimeter of the fire.
  • Crews continue to make excellent progress in critical areas, especially along the northeast side of the fire near the Pickerel River.
  • Higher winds out of the southwest today tested the northeast perimeter, but the hose lines held and kept the fire’s spread in check. It is estimated that most of the east flank has been tied with hose line.
  • Waterbombers and helicopters worked in conjunction with the crews to help tie off areas of activity.
  • The fire remains south of Key Harbour, and north of the Henvey Inlet waterway. Crews are working on perimeter containment on the southeast side of the fire north of Henvey Inlet.
  • The west side of the fire remains unchanged; the fire remained quiet in the vicinity of Fox Island on the western perimeter. Crews continue suppression along the western flank of the fire.
  • Structural protection continues.
  • Even with today’s winds, the fire remains approximately 5 kilometers away from highway 69 and less than one kilometer south of the Pickerel River near the CN trestle bridge on the west side of highway 69.
  • Tomorrow’s weather calls for another day of southwesterly winds.
  • Earlier this week, the Municipality of Killarney issued an evacuation order 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. For information, call the municipality at 705-287-2424.
  • Earlier this week, the Municipality of French River issued an Evacuation Alert for the Alban area, west of the high powered hydro lines on Highway 64. For more information, call the municipality at 705-898-2294 or visit www.frenchriver.ca
  • 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 inquiries about Grundy Lake Provincial Park closure: 705-383-2286 or 705-795-0803
  • For Parry Sound District information, including calls related travel restrictions or to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call 705-773-4218.
  • For Sudbury District information, including calls related to travel restrictions or to the recommendation of evacuation alerts, call 705-564-7963.

Pembroke Fire Cluster

  • Crews continue to make good progress on all fires. Pembroke 5 and Pembroke 7 are under control. As of 3:00 pm today, Algonquin Park 11 is now under control Pembroke 6 is being held.

Northwest region

Fire hazard in the northwest region

The fire hazard is currently high in the Kenora District which extends into the majority of the Dryden and Fort Frances Districts. The Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Districts are currently under and moderate to high hazard. Thunder Bay and Nipigon Districts show a low to moderate hazard with a pocket of high hazard conditions in the Armstrong area.

New fire starts for Aug. 2

  • Dryden Fire 39
    • South of Hwy. 17, approximately 11 kilometres east of Borups Corners.
    • 0.1 hectares
    • Being held

Emergency area order for Kenora fire 71

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is advising the public of an Emergency Area Order for the area around Kenora Fire 71 to ensure public safety. As a result the order restricts travel on Werner Lake Road. as well as Crown land use and travel within the boundaries of the Emergency Area Order.

 

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 543 firefighters and support staff are currently in the province.
    • Alberta is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • British Columbia is providing equipment.
    • Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Northwest Territories is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • Nova Scotia is providing equipment.
    • Prince Edward Island is providing personnel.
    • New Brunswick is providing personnel.
    • Saskatchewan is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Quebec is providing aircraft.
    • Minnesota, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Mexico is providing personnel.
    • Parks Canada is providing personnel.
  • Additional personnel and equipment are expected to arrive in the province in the coming days.

Smoke concerns

  • Smoke may be noted in the community of Fort Severn in the Far North, due to 9 active fires to the south and west of the community.
  • Smoke from large fires across the region will be visible until fire activity is reduced and weather patterns change.
  • 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 Tele Health Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Travel Restrictions

Travel restrictions in parts of Parry Sound and Sudbury districts due to forest fires

Pursuant to the Emergency Area Order signed July 21, 2018, an Implementation Order has been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry prohibiting access and travel in portions of Parry Sound District where there are public safety hazards as a result of increased fire activity from Parry Sound #033.

The Order restricts travel, access and use in an identified area (see attached map below) and may be modified regularly to reflect changing fire conditions.

This measure has been put in place to ensure public safety while allowing fire personnel to safely and effectively suppress the fires in the identified area.

  • All travel and use of all waterways east and west of Hwy. 69 in Mowat, Mason, Bigwood, Allen, Struthers, Kilpatrick and Travers townships and all associated tributaries that access the river systems, including all access from Georgian Bay, and all islands on Georgian Bay within the French River Provincial Park boundaries, Dokis Island system, and Puddick Island and all islands north of Henvey Inlet 2, southern boundary from mainland due west to Potvin Point is prohibited unless authorized by travel permit issued by Parry Sound District or Sudbury District Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF).
  • All road access west of Hwy. 69 in Bigwood, Allen, Struthers, Kilpatrick and Travers townships is prohibited and the unsurveyed lands from the French River to Nesbitt Creek including 14 Mile Island and French River Provincial Park and to the southern border of Henvey Inlet 2 Indian Reserve, excluding business and residences north of the French River directly adjacent to the west side of Hwy. 69.

If you believe that access within the restricted travel area is necessary for non-recreational purposes, please email [email protected] and include your name, contact information, location description for access, reason for access, and timeframe.  Notifications of approved permit(s) will take place within 24 hours of request.   If you do not hear back, your permit has been denied.  Please be patient once your request has been submitted and do not call the Sudbury or Parry Sound District Offices.  For Parry Sound District information related to evacuations and alerts, call 705-773-4218.  For Sudbury District information related to evacuations and alerts, call  705-564-7963.  Thank-you for your cooperation.

See the restricted travel and access areas on this PDF map (Note: this map gets updated regularly).

Travel restrictions in parts of Pembroke district due to forest fires

Pursuant to the Emergency Area Order signed July 21, 2018, an Implementation Order has been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry prohibiting access and travel in portions of Pembroke District where there are public safety hazards as a result of increased fire activity from Pembroke #005, 006, 007, and 008.

The Order restricts travel, access and use in an identified area (see attached map below) and may be modified regularly to reflect changing fire conditions.

This measure has been put in place to ensure public safety while allowing fire personnel to safely and effectively suppress the fires in the identified area.

  • All travel and use of Crown lands located in the Geographic Township of Maria (Pembroke District) is restricted.
  • All travel and use of Menet Lake Road, Deux Rivieres Creek Road and Deermeadow Lake Road.  All use and occupation of Crown land on or within 500 metres of the described closed roads is also prohibited.

If a member of the public believes that access within the restricted travel area is necessary for non-recreational purposes, please call 613-732-5536 to request a travel authorization permit.  Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will review the request for access based on the rationale provided, local fire activity, and the potential fire risk.

See the restricted travel and access areas on this PDF map (Note: this map gets updated regularly).

Travel restrictions in parts of Kenora district due to forest fires

Pursuant to the Emergency Area Order signed July 19, 2018, an Implementation Order has been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forest prohibiting access in portions of Kenora District where there are public safety hazards as a result of increased fire activity from Kenora #071.

The Order restricts travel, access and use in an identified area (see attached map below) and may be modified regularly to reflect changing fire conditions.

This measure has been put in place to ensure public safety while allowing fire personnel to safely and effectively suppress the fires in the identified area.

  • All travel and use of the Werner Lake Road from the Manitoba border eastward to the end of the road is prohibited.
  • All use and occupation of Crown land on or within 500 metres of the described closed roads above within this area is also prohibited.

If a member of the public believes that access within the restricted travel area is necessary for non-recreational purposes, please call 807-468-2501 to seek a travel authorization permit.  Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will review the request for access based on the rationale provided, local fire activity and the potential fire risk.

See the restricted travel and access areas on this PDF map (Note: this map gets updated regularly).

Travel restrictions in parts of North Bay, Kirkland Lake and Sudbury districts due to forest fires

Pursuant to the Emergency Area Order signed July 21, 2018, an Implementation Order has been issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry prohibiting access and travel in portions of North Bay and Kirkland Lake Districts where there are public safety hazards as a result of fire activity between Elk Lake and Temagami from the North Bay 72 fire.

The Order restricts travel, access and use in an identified area (see attached map below) and may be modified regularly to reflect changing fire conditions.

This measure has been put in place to ensure public safety while allowing fire personnel to safely and effectively suppress the fires in the identified area.

  • All travel and use of, Cooke Lake Road, Liskeard Lumber Road, Crane Lake Road, Indian Bay Road, Klock Lake Road, Roadhouse Tower Road, and Mountain Lake Road, as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the North Bay or Kirkland Lake Districts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
  • All modes of travel/access into Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, Obabika River, Makobe-Grays River, Solace and Sturgeon River Provincial Parks and all Crown lands as outlined in the identified area on the attached Implementation Order map within the EAO is prohibited unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the North Bay or Kirkland Lake Districts of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
  • All use and occupation of Crown Land or within 500 meters of the described closed roads in items 1, 2 & 3 above, within this area is prohibited.

If you believe that access within the restricted travel area is necessary for non-recreational purposes, please call  705-475-5546 in North Bay or 705-568-3201 in Kirkland Lake to request a travel authorization permit.  These telephone lines will be staffed during normal business hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm EST, Monday to Friday.  You can leave a message that will be actioned on the next business day (PLEASE NOTE: these lines will not be staffed on Monday August 6, 2018 due to statutory holiday).  The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will review the request for access based on the rationale provided, local fire activity, and the potential fire risk.

See the restricted travel and access areas on this PDF map (Note: this map gets updated regularly).

RESTRICTED FIRE ZONES

Restricted fire zone expanded to additional parts of the Northeast fire region (southern region)

Due to the extreme fire hazard, several recent periods of heavy lightning, little precipitation and increased forest fire activity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has expanded the Restricted Fire Zone to include parts of the Southern Region of Ontario as outlined on the interactive map.  This expansion of the current Restricted Fire Zone will be in effect as of 12:01 AM on July 24, and will remain in place until further notice.

  • The expanded Restricted Fire Zone now includes Zones 24, 25, & 26 which would include areas south of the French River, including Parry Sound, from Georgian Bay east to the Quebec border, including Algonquin Provincial Park and from Renfrew north to Mattawa.
  • To date, the current MNRF Restricted Fire Zone covers Zones 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, & 26 and restrictions will remain in place until further notice.  See the fire map for an outline of the zones covered.
  • During a Restricted Fire Zone, the use of open fires – such as campfires, or burning of brush or debris is restricted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.
  • Portable gas or propane stoves are permitted for use for cooking or warmth, though they should be closely monitored. Portable charcoal BBQs and Hibachis are not permitted unless within 100 metres of a dwelling, or within an organized campground.
  • Commercial campground operators may allow their guests to enjoy campfires during a Restricted Fire Zone period provided they meet certain conditions in the Outdoor Fires Regulation (207/96).

The Restricted Fire Zone is a temporary measure to reduce the number of new human-caused wildfires as the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the OMNRF expects the elevated forest fire hazard to continue into the foreseeable future.

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
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