Monday update on Wawa fire #18

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* WAWA, ON - Wawa fire #18 is located approximately 30 km east of the town of Hawk Junction and eight km east of the Potholes Conservation Reserve.

The fire was reported Thursday, May 27, and has grown to an estimated 2,300 hectares approximately 40 kilometres east of Wawa near the junction of Highway 101 and 651.

Highway 101 is open and Ontario Provincial Police are monitoring the situation.

There are no evacuation orders planned at this time.

A Type-1 Incident Management Team has been assigned to this fire and is currently setting up a base camp at the Weyerhaeuser Mill location on Hwy 101.

MNR’s priority is to suppress the fire, maintain safety procedures and enable Hydro One power line crews to complete the repair of damaged transmission lines and restore power to the town of Chapleau.

MNR is providing fire engine support and emergency medical support to Hydro One for their efforts if required.

There are currently nine Initial Attack crews and four Type 2 crews assigned to this fire.

In addition, six helicopters have been assigned and air tanker support is continuing.

Heavy equipment is being used to consolidate perimeter guards around the fire to restrict fire growth.

Recent precipitation has provided some relief and will allow good progress on line consolidation around the fire.

Crews will have opportunity to action hot spots.

An Emergency Area Order has been implemented as of 8 a.m. Saturday, May 29, 2010, and will remain in effect until conditions improve.

An Emergency Area Order is used when a forest fire situation warrants the use of special measures to ensure public safety, help with an evacuation and to ensure effective forest fire management.

Under the Emergency Area Order, the MNR is prohibiting all travel and use of the following roads for the purposes of public safety and/or effectual fire suppression:

- Much Lake Road within the EAO area starting 1 km south of Provincial Hwy. 101

- Ripple Lake Road

- Shakashi Road; Bluff Lake Road

- Jackpine River Road, and

- Jackpine Road.

A Restricted Fire Zone continues to be in effect in northeastern Ontario.

Residents and travellers through the region are reminded that all burning permits are suspended and all open air burning, including campfires, is prohibited.

Conservation Officers are patrolling recreation areas and will be strictly enforcing the Restricted Fire Zone.

To report a forest fire, please call 310-FIRE (3473).

For more information on Wawa fire #18, contact the Wawa District office at 1-705-856-2396.

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