Three new forest fires in the Sault area, two near Wawa

FOREST FIRE UPDATES

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

********************** East Fire Region Situation Update

Thursday, July 20, 2006 – 12:00

HIGHLIGHTS:

• 25 new forest fires yesterday

DETAILS:

There were 25 new forest fires yesterday in the following areas: six each in Sudbury and Parry Sound, three each in Sault Ste. Marie, Cochrane and North Bay, two in Wawa and one each in Algonquin Park and Bancroft.

There are currently 40 active forest fires in the Hearst, Cochrane, Wawa, Timmins, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Parry Sound, Algonquin Park, and Bancroft areas.

No problems are anticipated with these fires at this time.

As of April 1st 2006, there have been 321 forest fires in the East Fire Region.

There are currently 15 FireRanger crews from the East Fire Region in the West Fire Region assisting with their escalated fire situation.

As a result of a major wind storm that passed through parts of eastern Ontario this past Monday, many communities were affected by damaging winds.

The Ministry of Natural Resources would like to remind public, especially in those areas, that before burning any debris from the major storm event check with your municipality to be advised of their burning regulations.

Please use extreme care and caution with outdoor fires. Never leave your fire unattended and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving.

By eliminating human caused fires that result from carelessness the Ministry of Natural Resources can focus its resources on responding to new lightning caused forest fires.

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

******************** July 20 Fire Update Provincial

New Fires Yesterday:

- 96 new fires - 49 not under control - 13 being held - 15 under control - 19 out

Active fires:

- 165 active fires - 77 not under control - 23 being held - 39 under control - 26 being observed Fires to date (11:00 Jul 19): 827 – 12,040 ha

Fires to date last year 758 – 24,441 ha

Other Problem Fires

Note: Ontario is currently the hotspot nationally with the most new starts and the highest hazard

BC – 3 fires – the situation on these fires continues to improved

MB – 7 fires – only one is out of control (with limited action response)

Minnesota - The Cavity Lake fire in Minnesota is directly south of east boundary of Quetico. This is a complex fire burning near values and in blowdown fuels. The Forest Service estimates this fire could grow to 30,000 ha. A Type I IM team will be in place by tonight.

Out Of Province Deployments (OOP)

MNR will not be sending replacements or filling any resource requests until the anticipated fire load has passed.

An ignition team two water bombers and agency rep. are working the Minnesota fire. In Province Resources

From Alberta - three CL215s, and one bird dog with an air attack officer and trainee

From Saskatchewan - two CL215s and one bird dog with an air attack officer

From Northwest Territories - two CL215s and one bird dog with an air attack officer

Quebec - two C 415s from Quebec, six IA from Alberta and four division supervisors (31 people altogether), 33 intermediate and 21 medium helicopters on casual hire

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