New forest fires near Ranger Lake, Garden River

NEWS RELEASES

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

********************** East Fire Region situation update

Friday August 3rd, 2007 – 0900hrs

HIGHLIGHTS:

• 11 new; 26 active fires

• 327 fires; 7,661.2 hectares to date since April 1 • Values protection training took place this week in Ranger Lake, north of Sault Ste. Marie.

DETAILS:

There have been 11 new fires in the last 24 hours.

Most of the new fire starts have been lightning caused due to the dry conditions and the thunderstorms that have passed through the East Fire Region in the last few days.

The Sault Ste. Marie District saw four new starts which are all less than 1.0 hectare in size, three of which were lightning caused and found in the Ranger Lake area, the other fire in the Garden River area.

The Sudbury District had three new fires, all less than 0.5 hectares in size and no problems anticipated.

Other fires were in the Chapleau, Bancroft and Algonquin Park Districts.

There will be continuing cloudy skies across much of the East Fire Region as cloud and showers from northern James Bay pushes southward.

Areas along the shoreline of Lake Superior and Lake Huron will see sunny to a mix of sun and cloud.

Temperatures remain at or slightly above seasonal in the south becoming slightly below seasonal under the clouds.

Winds will continue to be moderate to strong.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds the public that before burning please check with your municipality to be advised of their burning regulations.

Never leave your fire unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving.

To report a forest fire in the East Fire Region please call 1-888-863-FIRE (3473).

************************* Increased forest fire danger across Ontario due to weather conditions

Campers should be extra careful this holiday weekend

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Ministry of Natural Resources is advising campers and others vacationing in Ontario's outdoors this holiday weekend to be aware of the current forest fire danger rating in their areas and take necessary precautions.

Hot and dry weather conditions throughout much of the province have elevated the fire danger rating in many areas to high to extreme and there is increased risk of human-caused wildfires.

Campers should keep campfires small and ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving the site.

Anglers could consider using a portable gas stove to cook shore lunches rather than a campfire.

Campfires must never be left unattended.

In addition, people should check with the local municipality about other restrictions and guidelines.

In the past 10 years, 165 human-caused fires have been started during the August long weekend.

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