FireRangers working to suppress fire at French River

MNR News Release

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There is a Restricted Fire Zone in place for northeastern Ontario. This restriction includes areas north of the French River to the James Bay coast and from the Quebec border west to the Pic River as well as Manitoulin Island.

The Restricted Fire Zone will be in effect until further notice. All burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited. Within a Restricted Fire Zone, campers can still use portable gas or propane cook stoves for cooking and warmth but should exercise extreme caution.

Fireworks are permitted during a Restricted Fire Zone, however, they must be discharged at least 300 metres from a forested area and all residue from the fireworks must be completely extinguished.

A map of the Restricted Fire Zone can be viewed by visiting this link http://forest.lrc.gov.on.ca/AFFM/fire/interactivemap/RFZ/map.html

There were five fires confirmed on May 21. Cochrane 18 is under control at 0.1 hectares. Parry Sound 6 has already been called out. Sudbury 34 is under control at 0.3 hectares and is expected to be called out this evening. Kirkland Lake 7 is under control at five hectares. Wawa 11 is being held at 1.2 hectares in size. There are no problems anticipated with any of the fires reported on May 21.

So far on May 22, there have been three fires confirmed. Algonquin Park 2 is 0.1 hectares and is located in the southwestern corner of the park. Sault Ste. Marie 13 was reported early on May 22 and was a request for assistance from a structural fire that had spread into the bush. It is being held at 0.8 hectares. North Bay 20 is near the mouth of the French River and responded well to waterbombing. One FireRanger crew continues to work at suppressing the fire.

Residents are reminded that if found responsible for a forest fire, they can be charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and/or be liable for the costs of suppressing the fire. This cost can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Be FireSmart, visit http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/AFFM/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165412.html for more information on how to prevent forest fires.

310-FIRE (3473) is the new, toll-free emergency forest fire reporting phone number across northern Ontario. The number will operate north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.

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