First lightning forest fire confirmed

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Forest fire situation update - East Fire Region

May 3, 2010

Two new fires were confirmed on May 2.

Wawa 4 was 0.1 hectare; one FireRanger crew responded to the fire and it was called out that evening.

Chapleau 7 is 4.5 hectares and is the first confirmed lightning fire of the 2010 fire season.

Air Attack, two water bombers and two FireRanger crews responded, and the fire is now being held.

Click here to view the active fires map.

The forest fire hazard is moderate to high from the French River northward to Wawa, with some pockets of extreme around Chapleau and Wawa.

South of the French River is moderate to low.

Even with some precipitation across the East Fire Region, the first lightning fire has been reported. This indicates that the central portions of our region are very receptive to fire.

Please use caution when using fire, do not burn when it is windy and make sure your fire is dead out before you leave.

Residents or cottagers conducting spring clean up should consider composting or chipping instead of burning.

Always remember to contact your local fire department or municipal office before burning.

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.

So far this year in the East Fire Region, there have been 73 fires burning nearly 319 hectares.

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.

Early detection and reporting are essential to quickly managing forest fires. Having one number will make it easier and more efficient for Ontarians to report forest fire emergencies.

The number will operate north of the French and Mattawa Rivers.

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