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Forest fire knocks out power in Chapleau (12 photos)

There's no immediate danger to the community, but Chapleau has lost electrical power this afternoon because of a nearby forest fire. The township advises SooToday.

There's no immediate danger to the community, but Chapleau has lost electrical power this afternoon because of a nearby forest fire.

The township advises SooToday.com that telephones and most core services are operational including the hospital, airport, water, wastewater, police, fire, ambulance.

The community's electrical supply infrastructure has suffered major damage.

Some Internet services are disrupted and SooToday.com has received word that some, but not all, schools have been closed.

Hydro One is expected to provide an update once the fire situation has been evaluated.

SooToday.com will provide updates on the situation as they're made available.

The following text is a news release issued today by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

************************** Wawa 18 was reported on the afternoon of May 27. 

The fire is located in the Hawk Junction and Highway 101 area between Wawa and Chapleau. 

There are no values in the immediate area of the fire however it did knock out power to Chapleau. 

The highway is open but the Ontario Provincial Police remain on site monitoring the situation. 

The fire is currently listed at 2000 hectares in size and has a type-1 incident management team (IMT) assigned to it. 

The IMT will be assessing the situation and putting a suppression plan in place. 

There are currently three fire ranger crews working the rear of the fire while four amphibious waterbombers worked the fire earlier today. 

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.

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