34 new forest fires in Northeastern Ontario

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

FOREST FIRE SITUATION UPDATE

************************* East Fire Region

(May 28) - Thirty-four new fires were confirmed in the East Fire Region on May 27.

The fire of note is Wawa 18 which had closed Highway 101 for a short period of time on the evening of May 27.

The fire is now listed as approximately 2,300 hectares in size.

It exhibited extreme fire behaviour on Thursday afternoon.

There are three FireRanger crews working the rear of the fire and an incident management team has been assigned to the fire as well.

Highway 101 is open but Ontario Provincial Police are on site monitoring the situation.

Fire management headquarters in the East Fire Region continue to respond to numerous fire starts as Friday progresses.

Residents are reminded that if found responsible for a forest fire, they can be charged under the Forest Fires Prevention Act and/or be liable for the costs of suppressing the fire.

This cost can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

310-FIRE (3473) is the new, toll-free emergency forest fire reporting phone number across Northern Ontario.

The number will operate north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.

There is a restricted fire zone in place for Northeastern Ontario.

This restriction includes areas north of the French River to the James Bay coast and from the Quebec border west to the Pic River including Manitoulin Island.

The restricted fire zone will be in effect until further notice.

All burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited.

Within a restricted fire zone, campers can still use portable gas or propane cook stoves for cooking and warmth but should exercise extreme caution.

Fireworks are permitted during a restricted fire zone, however, they must be discharged at least 300 metres from a forested area and all residue from the fireworks must be completely extinguished.

A map of the restricted fire zone can be viewed by clicking on this link.

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