54 new forest fires confirmed over long weekend

FOREST FIRE UPDATE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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Northeast Fire Region Restricted Fire Zone Order

Due to high to extreme fire hazard and increased forest fire activity, a Restricted Fire Zone Order will be in effect for the Northeast Fire Region, north of the French River from 0001 hours local daylight time on May 16, 2012, until such time as the order is revoked.
 
Forest fire activity continued steadily on Monday, May 21 despite rain in some areas of the province.

Another 15 new fires were reported.

In total, 54 new fires were confirmed over the long weekend of May 19-21.
 
Currently there are 45 active fires in the province, 17 of which are listed as Not Under Control.

There are 28,870 hectares burning in the province, predominantly in the Northeast Region.
 
Priority fires remain Kirkland Lake 08 at 2,757 hectares and Timmins 09, which has been re-mapped at 21,088 hectares.

An estimated 450 people have been evacuated due to these two fires and some highway closures have resulted.

Ontario FireRangers are engaged in value protection work on structures near both fires.

Waterbombers are working on the fires and Incident Management Teams have been dispatched.
 
The Northeast Region remains an area of concern as warm and dry conditions are being forecast for most of the week.

In the Northwest Region, a low-pressure system will bring cloud cover and substantial rain.

This will ease the fire hazard in the northwest and allow additional resources to be shifted to fires in the northeast of the province.
 
Ontario is deploying significant resources to address the escalated fire situation.

Twelve CL-415 waterbombers, four Twin Otter waterbombers and 57 helicopters are in use across the province.

Ontario is being assisted by waterbombers from Newfoundland and Manitoba. Border agreement partners in Quebec, Manitoba and Minnesota have also been engaged for Quickstrike waterbombing capability.
To report a forest fire in northern Ontario, call 310-FIRE (3473).
 
Northeast Region

There are currently 37 actives fires in the region, burning a total of 28273.1 hectares.

The following is an update on the larger fires in the area.

Timmins 9 is currently 21088 has in size and is north of Gogama.

There was significant growth on the fire yesterday evening, and the fire is approx. 45 km in length.

The MNR has requested that all people in areas including the west side of Kenogamissi Lake leave immediately.

No further evacuations are being considered at this time.

Mattagami First Nation has not been evacuated, but are prepared to if evacuation is required.

Crews are currently assigned to this fire, and working on values protection.

An Incident Management Team is also being established to assist with efforts on this fire. With little to no precipitation expected over the next week, people are reminded to remain vigilant.

Kirkland Lake 8 is currently 2757.0 hectares in size.

The town emergency response team estimates a total of 300 people were evacuated from Goldthorpe road (West side of Kirkland Lake), Goodfish Lake and other northerly lakes.

The municipality has made arrangements for evacuees to stay at the Kirkland Lake Royal Canadian Legion, while some evacuees are making arrangements with family or friends.

The town of Kirkland Lake has been running radio ads with fire information and town evacuation updates.

Crews have been working on values protection., and an Incident Management Team has also been ordered to aid in efforts fighting this fire.

*For information regarding evacuation and road closures in the Kirkland Lake area, please call the Kirkland Lake Municipal Office at 705-568-9365 ext. 221.
 
Wawa 4 is currently 3300 has in size.

An incident management team is on site working with resources.

FireRanger crews continued with suppression efforts today, and looking at doing an infrared ground scan.

The fire is currently listed as Not Under Control.

Wawa 5 currently 50 has in size.

Crews have been making good progress on the fire. The fire is currently listed as Under Control.

Timmins 5 is currently 8 has in size.

Crews continue with clean up on this fire, and it is currently listed as Under Control.

Timmins 7 is currently 476.5 has in size.

An Incident Management Team is on site as well as crews. Clean up on the fire continues. The fire is currently listed as Under Control.

Kirkland Lake 5 is currently 27 has in size.

Crews continue clean up on the, and it is currently Under Control.

Chapleau 8 is currently 195 has in size.

Crews continue clean up on the fire, and it is listed as Not Under Control.

North Bay 8 is currently 32 has in size.

Crews continue clean up on this fire, and it is currently listed as Under Control.

To date, there have been 156 fires in the Northeast Region, having burnt 28551.8 has.
 
For highway closure information, please call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

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