Fire update from the Kirkland Lake

OPP News Release

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Kirkland Lake Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police as a partner with the Kirkland Lake Community Control Group is working to ensure the safety of the members of the public as the Ministry of Natural Resources fights a fire north of town.

Currently there are approximately 300 people evacuated from the Goodfish Lake, Nettie Lake and Goldthorpe Road areas. The Ontario Provincial Police have roadblocks set up on Goodfish and Goldthorpe Roads.

Officers are also patrolling the evacuated areas and conducting security checks of the properties.

For up to date information on road closures, call the Ministry of Transportation toll-free number at 1-800-268-4686 (Service Ontario Transportation Info line). Do not call 911 for information on road closures.

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Kirkland Lake Community Control Group
News Release

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Kirkland Lake Community Control Group continue to plan for contingencies as a 2758 hectare fire burns north of the community.

On Sunday May 20, 2012 at approximately 11:30 a.m. a fire started just north of Swastika. At the time, conditions were very dry. There were also high winds from the southwest pushing the fire northeast. The fire was attacked by both ground and air crews. The fire is classed as a wind driven fire. Water bombers attacked the fire on the east sides redirected the fire away from the town of Kirkland Lake. Nettie and Goodfish Lakes were next in the path of the fire and there is only one route into that area. Approximately 300 people have been evacuated from Goodfish and Nettie Lake and Goldthorpe Road areas. The immediate weather forecast is assisting the fire suppression efforts. The long range forecast has similar high fire indices as were experienced on Sunday.

The town of Kirkland Lake declared a state of Emergency on Sunday May 20, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. The emergency control team consists of: Mayor, CAO, OPP, Fire Chief, EMS, Director of Physical Services, Medical Officer of Health, Evacuation Coordinator, Emergency Information Officer, Emergency Management Ontario and Community Emergency Management Coordinator.

Damage from the fire includes a power line and an undetermined number of cabins in the Young Lake and Amikougami Lake area. Kirkland Lake Gold is the only area experiencing power outage. Ontario Hydro is in the area and as the fire conditions permit, they will be working to restore power.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has assets in place to protect ‘values’ (property). Water bombers, helicopters with buckets and ground crews continue to work to control the fire.

The Ministry of Natural Resources have also put an Implementation Order in place to prohibit the use/access of to the affected public lands.

Current fire status reports are available through the MNR at: www.mnr.gov.on.ca

Information is also available to Kirkland Lake residents at:
Day: 705-567-9365
Night:705-567-9364

Emergency Management Ontario is assisting the community. There is no evacuation order for Kirkland Lake at this time. In the case of an evacuation, members of the public are encouraged to pack three days clothing, all medication, First-aid Kit, food and bottled water, important papers, personal items and pets.

Information is also available on Facebook at the town of Kirkland Lake and CJKL sites.

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