**MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY NEWS RELEASE**

Regional Fire Situation – July 10, 2018

On the evening of July 10th, there are 66 active forest fires in Northeast Region. 29 of these fires are not yet under control, while 37 are either being held, under control or being observed.

There were 15 new starts in the northeast today, 5 of which are already out at the time of this update. Thunderstorms once again swept through Northeastern Ontario yesterday afternoon and we expect to continue to find several new starts as a result over the coming week.

New fires on the landscape include:

  • North Bay 74, a 1.5 hectare fire located northwest of Driftwood Lake, approximately 3 km south of the Temagami Access Rd.
  • Sault Ste. Marie 10, located within Garden River 14 First Nation, west of Echo Lake, is being held at 0.4 of a hectare.
  • North Bay 75 is located west of the Obabika River. It covers 6 hectares and is not yet under control.
  • North Bay 76 cover 0.1 of a hectare is located southeast of Perch Lake, approximately 15 km southeast of Mattawa.
  • Sudbury 63 covers 0.2 of a hectare is under control.
  • Sudbury 64 is under control at 0.1 of a hectare located on Clapperton Island.
  • Sudbury 65 covers 0.1 of a hectare and is located southwest of St. Charles.
  • Sudbury 66 and 67 are north of Hwy 637 approximately 10 km northwest of Killarney, they are 0.5 and 0.1 of a hectare respectively.
  • North Bay 78 is located just north of Hwy 533 northwest of Mattawa. It is 0.1 of a hectare and is not under control.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMS

Ontario is planning to deploy incident management teams over the coming days to manage priority fires. Details will become available later this week.

RESOURCES FROM OUT-OF-PROVINCE

  • Fire crews from Alberta and British Columbia have now arrived in Ontario to assist with the fire situation. 15 – 3 person crews from British Columbia and 10 – 4 person crews from Alberta have been deployed to priority fires tonight.
  • CL415 waterbombers and T802 Fire Boss amphibians equipment from Alberta and Saskatchewan are currently supporting Ontario’s fire suppression operations.

SMOKE NOTED ACROSS THE NORTHEAST TODAY

  • Smoke drift was noted in many communities across Northeastern Ontario today, and well into cottage country due to a northerly wind. This smoke was from several fires in Ontario.
  • AFFES is reminding the public that if they do see flames or smoke, please report it, and stay away from the area in the interest of public safety.
  • If you have questions or concerns about smoke and your health, please contact TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

FOREST FIRE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IMPLEMENTED BY MNRF’S NORTH BAY DISTRICT

Effective as of 5:00 p.m. on July 9, 2018, an Implementation Order was issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry restricting access to an area of Temagami as outlined on the map below, where there are public safety hazards as a result of increased fire activity.

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is advising the public that travel restrictions have been implemented in McLaren’s Road, Gibbons Road, Baie-Jeanne Road, South Pardo Road, and St. Joseph’s Road including George Gordon and Iron Lake Road, Red Squirrel Lake Road beyond the Jack Pine Road intersection and all access into Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park in the North Bay District.

Access to these areas is restricted and road blocks will be set-up to notify the public of the closure. Travel restrictions are in place and permits are required to travel through this area. Within the area, no Crown land camping, no day trips, no hiking, no ATVs and no access to private camps or cottages are permitted.

This measure is meant to protect the public and ensure public safety while allowing fire personnel to safely fight forest fires in the identified area.

For information about these travel restrictions: 705-475-5512

Restricted Fire Zone declared in Northeast Region
Due to the extreme fire hazard, several recent periods of heavy lightning and the large number of wildfires burning, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has implemented a Restricted Fire Zone in some areas of Northeastern Ontario as outlined on the interactive fire map.

During a Restricted Fire Zone, the use of open fires – such as campfires, or burning of brush or debris, is restricted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.

Portable gas or propane stoves are permitted for use for cooking or warmth, though they should be closely monitored. Portable charcoal BBQs and Hibachis are not permitted unless within 100 metres of a dwelling, or within an organized campground.

Commercial campground operators may allow their guests to enjoy campfires during a Restricted Fire Zone period provided they meet certain conditions.

The Restricted Fire Zone is a temporary measure to reduce the number of new human-caused wildfires as the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the OMNRF expects the elevated forest fire hazard to continue into the foreseeable future.

The forest fire hazard is expected to be generally high to extreme across the Northeast tomorrow.