Changes made to area fire restrictions

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

****************************** At 12:01 a.m. today, the restricted fire zone across much of Northeastern Ontario, including Manitoulin Island, was lifted.

However, it remains in place for areas south of Wawa, including the districts of Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay due to continuing dry conditions.

The area remaining under restriction is bounded by Lake Huron and the French and Mattawa Rivers in the south, the Quebec border in the east, from Latchford to the Montreal River in the north, and the Lake Superior shoreline on the west.

The new 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.

Eleven fires were confirmed on June 3. 

Four fires were confirmed in the Sudbury district, two in Timmins, two in Wawa and one each in the Chapleau, Cochrane and North Bay districts. 

All fires were less than one hectare in size and no problems are anticipated. 

Five of the 11 have been called out already.

Suppression efforts on Wawa 18 continue and good progress is being made on the fire.

As of June 4, the fire is now classified as being held. 

Crews are busy actioning hotspots that have been located using infrared scanning.

An emergency area order remains in effect for the area surrounding Wawa 18. 

Under the order, MNR is prohibiting travel on the following roads: Ripple Lake Road and Bluff Lake Road.

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.

Be FireSmart, visit here for more information on how to prevent forest fires.

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.

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