Breaking News

Northeast Fire Region – August 5, 2018

Time of Report 22:55

  • By the evening of August 5, there were 42 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 19 are not yet under control, 23 are either being held, under control or being observed.
  • There were two new fires confirmed today.
  • Bancroft 19 covers 0.5 of a hectare. It is located approximately 5 km southeast of Big Burnt Lake, 14 km east of Hwy 46.
  • Sudbury 101 measures 0.9 of a hectare and is located approximately 16 km southwest of St-Charles.

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

  • This fire was first recorded on July 8, 2018, it measures 27,285 hectares and is not under control.
  • More precipitation fell this evening over the fire. Lightning was also recorded in the area.
  • All heavy equipment assigned to the fire has been released.
  • Values protection equipment remains in place.
  • Travel restrictions around this fire remain in place.
  • Helicopter bucket will be available and utilized as needed.
  • Forest firefighter crews continue to transition on and off the fire.

 

Parry Sound 33

  • The fire measures 11,362 hectares, it is not yet under control.
  • It was a challenging, hot and windy day today, and the fire responded as expected.
  • Even with today’s challenging winds and high temperatures, the crews managed to maintain the perimeter of the fire thanks to the placement of the hose lines. Two minor spot fires on the northeast flank were quickly contained this morning.
  • Crews have made excellent progress over the last few days and now have hose lines around most of the fire perimeter. More work still needs to be done as crews will work inward to solidify the control lines.
  • Some structure protection (sprinklers) will be removed in areas of the fire where full containment has been achieved and the threat from those structures has been removed.
  • Tonight we expect pop-up thunderstorms in and around the area. Some precipitation was recorded over Parry Sound 33 this evening. We are hopeful that the interior of the fire receives more precipitation from the weather system.
  • Tomorrow once again has the potential for strong winds. Unsettled weather may bring some scattered thunderstorms, with the possibility of 10-15 millimeters of patchy rain. It is anticipated that temperatures will be in the mid to high twenties, with high humidity. Winds may gust up to 30 km/h or more.
  • Thank you for your ongoing support and patience as we manage this fire.
  • 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, Pembroke 7 and Algonquin Park 11 are under control. Pembroke 6 is being held. Infrared scanning is continuing.

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 556 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 personnel and 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.

(Waterbombers from Quebec and Ontario are ready to respond at the Sudbury Airport. Photo provided by Tanya Kienapple)

Smoke concerns

  • Smoke may be noted in the community of Fort Severn in the Far North, due to 8 active fires to the south and west of the community.

(One of 8 fires burning to the south and west of Fort Severn in the Cochrane sector. Photo taken August 4 and provided by Jamie Gaunt, Fire Operations Technician)

 

  • 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.

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

Report Prepared by the AFFES Communications Team

 

 

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