Updating the East Fire Region

MNR News Release
News Release

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There were two new fires confirmed on August 5. Parry Sound 22, north of Severn Falls, was 0.1 hectares in size and has been declared out. Sault Ste. Marie 30, near Batchawana Bay, was 0.1 hectares and has been declared out. There are currently eight active fires in the region and there are no issues anticipated.

The hazard will remain low to moderate throughout the region with a mix of sun and cloud.

Additional resources were dispatched on August 5 to British Columbia. On Sunday, August 1, FireRangers and support staff were dispatched to British Columbia and Saskatchewan to assist with their respective fire situations. In total, there are 151 personnel from the East Fire Region assisting out of province.

Ontario now has 268 fire personnel in British Columbia in addition to 20 staff in Manitoba and 41 in Saskatchewan for a total of 329 forest fire fighters out of province. Requests for assistance for other provinces and territories come through the Canadian Interagency Forest
Fire Centre (CIFFC) in Winnipeg.

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.

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.

To view the current forest fire hazard in your area, visit here http://forest.lrc.gov.on.ca/AFFM/fire/interactivemap/fireHazard_English.htm to view the Fire Danger Map.

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.

1885-2010
Saluting Ontario's FireRangers
for 125 years of dedicated service

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources FireRangers are highly trained, experienced and dedicated personnel performing an essential service for the people of Ontario. The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services Program is internationally recognized and FireRangers are a cornerstone of the program, demonstrating the ministry's commitment to preventing personal and values loss from forest fires, and promoting the understanding of the ecological role of the fire and its beneficial effects in resource management.

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