Thursday forest fire update

FIRE UPDATE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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

Thursday, July 13, 2006 – 12:00

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ontario FireRangers assisting western provinces

• one new forest fire yesterday

DETAILS:

There was one new forest fire yesterday in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

There are currently four active forest fires in Cochrane and Sault Ste. Marie.

No problems are anticipated with these fires at this time.

As of April 1st 2006, there have been 246 forest fires in the East Fire Region.

68 Ontario FireRanger crews, three incident management teams and various overhead staff were deployed to western provinces due to their escalated forest fire activity.

Excellent progress is being made.

Staff will be returning home over the next 10 days in order to recycle.

In addition, 10 FireRanger crews from the East Fire Region are in the West Fire Region in order to assist with their dry conditions.

The weather is forecasting clear skies with above normal temperatures for most of the region.

The fire hazard is currently moderate to high and will continue to rise.

The Ministry of Natural Resources would like to remind public to use caution with outdoor fires.

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).

**********************