Monday forest fire report

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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

June 14, 2010

There was one new fire confirmed in the East Fire Region on June 13.

Cochrane 26 is a 30-hectare fire northwest of Fort Severn.

The Costal Ranger and a FireRanger crew from Cochrane District responded to the fire yesterday, and Cochrane has dispatched more resources to assist today.

So far for June 14, there has been one fire, Cochrane 27, also near Fort Severn.

The fire is 0.3 hectares in size and is under control.

Recent precipitation has decreased the fire hazard throughout most of the region.

The fire hazard is low for the majority of the region, there is a small pocket of moderate hazard along the Georgian Bay coast, and the far north will remain high.

Today, June 14, five FireRanger crews and one Sector Leader from the East Fire Region departed to Quebec to assist with Quebec's fire situation.

An Emergency Area Order remains in effect for the area surrounding Wawa 18.

Under the order, MNR is prohibiting travel on the following roads: Ripple Lake Road and Bluff Lake Road.

Suppression efforts on Wawa 18 continue and good progress is being made on the fire.

The fire is listed as under control.

If you light a campfire ensure it is tended with extreme care.

Keep your campfires small, never leave them unattended and ensure they are completely extinguished before leaving.

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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