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Forest Fire Situation Update Northeast Region – August 6

By the evening of August 6, there were 44 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 18 are not yet under control, 26 are either being held, under control or being observed.

There were four new fires confirmed today, two of which are already been called out.

  • Cochrane 35 measures 7 hectares and is located 93 kilometers northeast of the Town of Cochrane.
  • Cochrane 36, a 40 hectare fire located approximately 200 kilometers south of Fort Severn, is being observed.
  • Sudbury 102, a 0.1 hectare fire near Lake Onaping, was confirmed and declared out today.
  • Parry Sound 38 was located south of Parry Sound 33. It was confirmed at 0.1 hectares and declared out today.
  • Eight forest fires are still active to the south and west of Fort Severn in the Far North. FireRanger crews and Coastal Rangers are responding.

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 72 is currently mapped at approximately 27,285 hectares and has not grown in size in the last 2 weeks. This fire is still listed as not under control.
  • Helicopter bucketing continued to be utilized as needed.
  • FireRanger crews continue to transition on and off the fire.

Parry Sound 33

  • It is anticipated that only minimal growth occurred on this fire. It measures 11,362 hectares and is not yet under control.
  • Although this fire received approximately 10 mm of rain, extremely dry fuel conditions remain.
  • Firefighters took advantage of the precipitation, high humidity and low winds to continue consolidating hose lines around the perimeter. Crews continued to move inward to solidify control lines.
  • 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 for residents in the Alban area, west of the high powered hydro lines on Highway 64 is still in effect. 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.

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.

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.
  • 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

SOURCE – the AFFES Communications Team

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