Five additional crews dispatched to fight Wawa fire

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

*************************** There is a restricted fire zone in place for Northeastern Ontario. 

This restriction includes areas north of the French River to the James Bay coast and from the Quebec border west to the Pic River including Manitoulin Island.

The restricted fire zone will be in effect until further notice. 

All burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited. 

Within a restricted fire zone, campers can still use portable gas or propane cook stoves for cooking and warmth but should exercise extreme caution.  

Fireworks are permitted during a restricted fire zone, however, they must be discharged at least 300 metres from a forested area and all residue from the fireworks must be completely extinguished.

A map of the Restricted Fire Zone can be viewed by clicking on this link.

27 new fires impacting 22.8 hectares with 59 active fires as of May 29, total area involving 3234.4 hectares burning.

For Wawa 18, the largest of the fires, five additional crews have been added from the west fire region, there is an emergency area order in place for the highway 101 and 651 corridors affected by the fire.

Road restrictions are posted, and MNR crews and Ontario Provincial Police are managing road travel and restrictions.

There is little change in the fire as it continues to burn within a 2300 hectare area.

Please follow this link to view photos and video of Sudbury fire 45.

This fire was caused by lightning on the afternoon of May 28 just north of the town of Massey.

The fire is under control and maintained at 0.1 hectares.

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.

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. 

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

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