Tuesday update on forest fire situation

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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Forest fire situation update - Northeast Region
 
August 21, 2012 (3:30 p.m. EDT)
 
One new fire has been confirmed thus far in the Northeast Region today in the Bancroft area.
 
Bancroft 50 is a 0.1 hectare fire currently receiving suppression support and is listed as not under control.
 
MNR staff in the Northeast Region continue to work with local officials to manage Guelph 1, a 13.6-hectare fire burning in the Wainfleet Bog near Port Colborne.

Excellent progress continues to be made on the fire, which is classed as being held.
 
There are currently 12 active fires in the Northeast Region, nine of which are being monitored - classed as being observed.

Fires may remain under this classification when they are not receiving suppression action due to agency resource

management objectives.
 
Out-of-province assistance
 
Ontario currently has 36 Ministry of Natural Resources employees working out of province in British Columbia, assisting in the escalating fire situation there.

Eight FireRanger crews, as well as incident management staff.

Firefighting equipment is also being shipped to assist in efforts.
 
Regional fire activity facts
 
There are 12 active fires in the Northeast Region covering a total of 46,550.7 hectares.

To date, 823 fires in the Northeast Region have burned 52,904.3 hectares.
 
Fire hazard

There are currently no Restricted Fire Zones imposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources. 

A reminder that municipalities may have fire bans in place, so please ensure to check with them before doing any outdoor burning.
 
Ontario Parks may also have their own restrictions in place for each campground. For information on fire restrictions in parks, please visit here.
 
To report a forest fire in the Northeast Region, please call 310-FIRE. 

In southern regions, forest fires can be reported by calling your local municipal fire department.
 
For more information, visit here and report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473). 

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