Latest Northeast Region fire update

MNR News Release

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PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW - Things are heating up again in Northwestern Ontario from the minimal precipitation and high winds on some large fires of concern. While some of the variable weather has helped reduce smoke in affected communities in the far north, there has not been enough rain to remove the underlying fire hazard.

There were 13 new fire starts yesterday with 118 fires currently burning in Ontario. With a forecast for good burning conditions, the large fires in Northwestern Ontario are expected to grow and challenge boundaries. The fire situation is far from over in Ontario and Aviation and Forest Fire Management continues to utilize over 2,000 personnel in today's fire fighting effort. There is still a lot of hard work and long days ahead to put the fires out.

NEW FIRES - Eight new fires were reported on July 30.

Hearst 7 - undetermined cause - being held - 0.8 hectares - northeast of Missinaibi Provincial Park

Algonquin Park 4 - lightning caused - out - 0.2 hectares - within Algonquin Park

North Bay 33 - lightning caused - out - 0.1 hectares - north of North Bay

North Bay 34 - lightning caused - out - 0.3 hectares - north of Sturgeon River Provincial Park

Sudbury 51 - human caused - out - 0.2 hectares - French River Provincial Park

Sudbury 52 - lightning caused - out - 0.1 hectares - north of Lake Wanapitei

Sudbury 53 - lightning caused - out - 0.3 hectares - north of Lake Wanapitei

Sudbury 54 - lightning caused - out - 0.3 hectares - north of Hagar

Five new fires were reported by the evening of July 31.

Timmins 22 - undetermined cause - not under control - 0.6 hectares - east of Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park

Timmins 23 - undetermined cause - not under control - 0.2 hectares - southwest of Black River-Matheson

Kirkland Lake 30 - human caused - under control - 0.1 hectares - near Bourkes

North Bay 35 - lightning caused - out - 0.1 hectares - south of Redwater

North Bay 36 - lightning caused - being held - 0.1 hectares - south of Lady Evelyn Smoothwater Provincial Park

ACTIVE FIRES - There are an additional five active fires in the region.

Cochrane 6 - lightning caused - being observed - 500.0 hectares - 63 kilometers southwest of Kashechewan

Cochrane 13 - lightning caused - being observed - 600.0 hectares - 30 kilometres southeast of Peawanuck

Cochrane 15 - lightning caused - being observed - 50.0 hectares - west of Attawapiskat

Cochrane 17 - lightning caused - being observed - 120.0 hectares - 43 kilometers southwest of Fort Albany

Cochrane 18 - lightning caused - being observed - 8.0 hectares - 44 kilometers south of Fort Albany

Map of Current Fires in Ontario

FIRE HAZARD - The fire hazard is high in the northern half of the region. It drops to mode rate in the southern half with the exception of the Sudbury area which maintains a high hazard.

SAFETY MESSAGE - Planning on enjoying a campfire this long weekend? Keep your fire small, build it on bare rock or dirt, never leave it unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site. Drown! Stir! Drown!

Also, remember to be careful with smoking materials in forested areas while hiking or picking berries.

If you live within a municipality, contact your local municipal office or fire department before burning.

For public inquiries on the forest fire situation in Ontario, please call 1-800-667-1940.

Be FireSmart! For more information, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention and report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).

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