Tuesday forest fire report

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Northeast Region - May 17, 2011

The Northeast Fire Region received three new fires on May 16.

Fires occurred in Sault Ste. Marie (one) and Sudbury (two) districts.

Sault Ste. Marie 10 was reported along Batchewana Bay in Lake Superior and is out at 0.1 hectares.

Sudbury 10 was reported north of Lively at 0.2 hectares.

MNR Fire Rangers assisted the Greater Sudbury fire department.

Sudbury 11 was reported south of Wanup and is under control at 0.2 hectares.

There is no serious concern with these fires.

Forty Fire Rangers and three overhead personnel from the Northeast Region were deployed to Alberta today to assist with the fire situation in that province.

In total, 85 personnel, including another 42 from Northwestern Ontario were deployed from the province.

The weather in the Northeast Region is expected to be sunny with cloudy periods and the fire hazard is high north of Highway 17.

Rain is in the forecast starting late Wednesday into Friday.

When cleaning up wood and grass debris, the ministry suggests composting, chipping or taking debris to a landfill site instead of burning. '

If you still decide to burn debris, residents are reminded that they are required to follow safe outdoor fire guidelines.

In particular, there are restrictions on day burning of brush and grass.

Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset, be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise, attended at all times and put dead out before leaving.

If you live within a municipality, contact your local municipal office or fire department before burning.

Be FireSmart!

For more information, visit here and report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).

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