Wawa-area roads may be closed due to forest fire

EMERGENCY AREA ORDER

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Fire #18 news

WAWA - (May 28, 2010) - An emergency area order has been implemented due to an active forest fire burning in the Wawa District.

Wawa fire #18 was reported Thursday, May 27, and has grown to an estimated 2,300 hectares approximately 40 kilometres east of Wawa near the junction of Highway 101 and 651.

View map of emergency area order

Under the emergency area order, travel may be restricted on specific roads as required to ensure public safety and the safety of the fire suppression staff fighting the fire.

These restrictions will be managed by the Wawa District Ministry of Natural Resources.

The order is in effect as of 8 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2010, and will remain in effect until such time as conditions improve.

An emergency area order is used when a forest fire situation warrants the use of special measures to ensure public safety, help with an evacuation and to ensure effective forest fire management.

The Minister of Natural Resources has the authority to close roads or stop the movement of people into areas threatened by smoke or fire.

In addition, people may be asked to leave an area if fire management staff feel public safety is at risk.

For more information, contact the Wawa District MNR office at (705) 856-2396.

Quick facts

So far this year, MNR has responded to 453 fires burning over 10,000 hectares.

A Restricted Fire Zone remains in place for most of northeastern Ontario.

Learn more

Find more information on the current fire situation.

Find out more about the Restricted Fire Zone.

*************************