Eight fires still burn in Northern Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

***************************** The return of residents to their home communities was completed August 3.

Over 3,500 residents were moved with help from Emergency Management Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources, Non-government organizations (e.g The Red Cross), and many volunteers in host communities. More information on the return of residents to their home communities is available at Emergency Management Ontario.

Ontario appreciates the support of resources from other parts of Canada.

Assistance, in the form of firefighters, equipment and aircraft, has come from several provinces, the states of Minnesota and Michigan, and Parks Canada.

Today, resources from Michigan, Saskatchewan and the Yukon will be arriving in Ontario.

Over 500 out of province personnel are working with Ontario Fire Rangers in fire suppression efforts.

New fires

One new fire was reported on August 3 in the Bancroft district.

Bancroft 4 - human caused - out - 0.1 hectares - east of Brule Lake

No new fires have been reported by the evening of August 4.

Active fires - There are an additional eight active fires in the region.

Cochrane 6 - lightning caused - being observed - 500.0 hectares - 63 kilometers southwest of Kashechewan

Cochrane 13 - lightning caused - being observed - 600.0 hectares - 30 kilometres southeast of Peawanuck

Cochrane 15 - lightning caused - being observed - 50.0 hectares - west of Attawapiskat

Cochrane 17 - lightning caused - being observed - 200.0 hectares - 43 kilometers southwest of Fort Albany

Cochrane 18 - lightning caused - being observed - 8.0 hectares - 44 kilometers south of Fort Albany

North Bay 38 - lightning caused - being held - 0.8 hectares northwest of Silver Lake

North Bay 41 - human caused - under control - 0.6 hectares - north of River Valley

Sault Ste. Marie 17 - lightning caused - under control - 1.0 hectares north of Mississagi Provincial Park

Map of Current Fires in Ontario

Fire hazard

The fire hazard is moderate in the northern half of the region since it is under mainly sunny skies.

The hazard drops to low in the southern half of the region due to increased precipitation.

Fire Danger Map in Ontario

Planning on enjoying a campfire this weekend?

Keep your fire small, build it on bare rock or dirt, never leave it unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving the site.

Drown! Stir! Drown!

Also, remember to be careful with smoking materials in forested areas while hiking or picking berries.

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

For public inquiries on the forest fire situation in Ontario, please call 1-800-667-1940.

Be FireSmart!

For more information, visit ontario.ca/fireprevention Report forest fires using the toll-free reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).

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