Effect of storms on provincial parks

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

*************************** Provincial parks staff working to help campers

Samuel de Champlain Park closed for public safety

TORONTO — Staff at Ontario's provincial parks are working hard to assist campers affected by yesterday's severe weather and to restore services at parks, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"We are all concerned about the well-being of parks visitors affected by the storm," said Ramsay. "Our staff are patrolling remote areas of Algonquin Park by floatplane and helicopter to check on campers. They're also clearing fallen trees and relocating campers where necessary."

The severe weather downed trees, power lines and telephone lines at a number of parks, and caused several injuries and one fatality.

At Algonquin Provincial Park, a man who was camping in a remote area was killed by a falling tree and another person in his party was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.

"I want to convey my deepest sympathies to the families of the parks visitors killed or injured during the severe weather," said Ramsay.

Currently, there is no electricity or in some cases no telephone service at the following provincial parks: Samuel de Champlain, Driftwood, Mikisew, Bonnechere, Killarney and parts of Algonquin.

Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park will be closed to the public until at least Friday, July 21, while crews clean up damage caused by fallen trees and utility poles.

Ontario Parks is contacting visitors who have current or upcoming reservations at Samuel de Champlain to relocate them until the park reopens.

Staff are working to clear away downed trees and other debris at Finlayson Point, White Lake, Point Farms, Sibbald Point, Six Mile Lake and Emily provincial parks.

For more information on services and facilities affected by the storm, visit www.ontarioparks.com and click on "Information about storm damage at Ontario Parks" or call the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940 (English and French), TTY 1-866-686-6072.

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