Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Ontario sends water bombers to help with BC fires

MNR News Release ********************** Ontario has dispatched two CL415 water bombers to assist with the forest fire situation in British Columbia.
Kate Adams
MNR News Release

**********************

Ontario has dispatched two CL415 water bombers to assist with the forest fire situation in British Columbia. The planes left from Dryden and Kenora in the West Fire Region today, Tuesday August 4th and are scheduled to arrive in Kamloops later today.

Ontario currently has approximately 570 fire personnel working in British Columbia. Ontario and BC have started planning for the rotation of fire fighting staff out of B.C. and replacing them with fresh staff. This will continue through August as long as Ontario's fire season remains quiet and B.C. requires assistance.

Support is also being provided with fire suppression equipment including water pumps, fire hose, sprinkler kits and portable water tanks.

The forest fire situation in British Columbia remains a concern with record breaking high temperatures and much of that province continuing to experience high to extreme Fire Danger Ratings. For the current forest fire situation please visit:
http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Fires.asp

There have been no new fires in the East Fire Region for August 4. There were two new fires reported over the long weekend. On August 2 Bancroft #3, a small 0.1 hectare fire was found in Kawartha Highland Provincial Park. On August 3, Algonquin Park # 4, a small 0.1 hectare fire was confirmed in Algonquin Park. Both fires were human caused and FireRanger Crews had no problems containing them.

The fire hazard for the East Fire Region is low except for a small pocket of moderate for Algonquin Park and just south of the park. For August 5 the fire hazard is forecasted to be low for the entire region.

Regardless of the fire hazard always build a safe campfire. Build your fire on bare soil or exposed rock, sheltered from the wind and away from tents or buildings. Keep a pail of water and shovel nearby and make sure the fire is not left unattended. Keep your fire small and when you're finished, make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site. Remember to DROWN, STIR, DROWN! For more FireSmart safe campfire tips visit Ontario.ca/fireprevention.

**********************