Busy day for forest fires across the northeast region

MNR News Release

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It was another busy day across northeastern Ontario as initial attack occurred on 2 new fires, and suppression efforts continued on existing fires within the region. As of Wednesday evening, there are currently 13 active fires in the northeast region, burning a total of 3751.7 hectares. The larger ongoing fires are listed below.

Wawa 4 is currently 3000 hectares in size. Suppression efforts continue on this fire as the waterbombers provided support today, and an MNR Incident Mangement Team has arrived to aid in providing support. (An incident management team is a group of specialized individuals trained in providing support regarding aircraft, personnel and equipment resources on a fire). The fire is currently listed as not under control.

Wawa 5 is currently 50 hectares in size. The fire is located approx. 5 km from the town of WhiteRiver. The fire did not put on any growth today, and crews are making good progress. Crews continue to work on the fire, and it is currently listed as being held.

Timmins 5 is currently 8 hectares in size. Crews are making good progress on the fire, and the fire is currently listed as under control.

Timmins 7 is currently 412 hectares in size. The fire, which is approx. 2-4 km from Westree has caused evacuations to occur in this area. Approx. 125 residence have been evacuated from the communities of Westree, Morin Village, Ruel and Ostrum Mill. These residence remain evacuated at this time. Highway 560 into the area was closed and may also remain closed at this time. Air attack in the form of waterbombers was working on the fire today, and an incident management team has been assigned to this fire to aid in the efforts.

Kirkland Lake 5 is currently 27 hectares in size. This fire caused evacuation of 2 residences in the Larder Lake area this week, but they have since been able to return. The fire was quiet yesterday, and crews have made good progress. The fire is currently listed as not under control.

Chapleau 8 is currently 194 hectares in size. Crews that were deployed to the fire were pulled last night due to extreme weather conditions. Crews have since returned and suppression efforts are on going. The fire is currently listed as not under control.

North Bay 8 is currently 32 hectares in size and is approx 10 km south of Latchford. Suppression efforts continue by crews on the fire, and the fire is currently listed as being held.

The region has received assistance from fire crews from the Northwest fire region, as well as waterbombers from Quebec and Newfoundland at this time.

NEW FIRES Sudbury 24 located 60 km Northwest of Sudbury currently at 0.1 hectares and listed as not under control. Hearst 5 which was 0.1 hectares in size and has been called out.

FIRE HAZARD - A Restricted Fire Zone is currently in effect for the Northeast Fire Region, north of the French River including French River Provincial Park. The restricted fire zone includes the MNR districts of Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Hearst, Chapleau, Wawa, Cochrane and Manitoulin Island. No open burning, including campfires is permitted within the boundaries of a restricted fire zone. Portable heaters or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended.

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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