**MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY**

NORTHEAST REGION

Regional Fire Situation – July 17, 2018

By the evening of July 17, there are 53 active forest fires across the Northeast, of these, 21 are not yet under control, 32 are either being held, under control or being observed.

Today, there were 10 new starts in the region, 3 of which have already been declared out.

Waterbombers were on the scene of two Chapleau fires this afternoon. Chapleau 17 is located 19 km north of Foleyet, and Chapleau 16 is located 23 km northwest of Foleyet. Both of these fires are 1 hectare in size, and are not yet under control.

The Twin Otters and birddog team actioned Pembroke 4, located 2 km west of Calabogie Lake earlier today. This fire covers 2 hectares and is not under control at the time of this update.

Later in the day, Sudbury 78 required assistance from waterbombers. They supported the ground crew on this fire located 50 km northeast of Elliot Lake.

Last night, waterbombers and fire crews assisted the Greater Sudbury Fire Department with Sudbury 76, east of Regional Road 80 between Sudbury and the Valley. Today, this lightning fire is now under control at 12 hectares.

There was no lightning in the region overnight last night, and no precipitation.

The forecast for tomorrow predicts generally sunny skies across the Northeast with no precipitation for the next 24 hours. Winds will be westerly and temperatures are expected to be around the mid-twenties.

Since June 29, there have been 239,000 lightning strikes in the province of Ontario. More holdover lightning fires are expected to be confirmed over the course of the coming week.

Incident Management Teams

Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are in place in the region. They are managing priority fires in 3 areas:

  • River Valley Cluster
  • Lake Temagami Cluster
  • Lady Evelyn Cluster

River Valley Fire Cluster:

The River Valley Fire Cluster now only includes two fires. North Bay 62 covers 2,500 hectares and is not under control. North Bay 42 covers 350 hectares and is not yet under control. North Bay 45 was called out.

Fire behaviour was quiet today.

Temagami Fire Cluster:

Cooler temperatures and recent precipitation kept fire activity to a minimum today in the Temagami Fire Cluster. The status of North Bay 55 which is located south of Temagami on the east side of Hwy 11 has been updated to ‘being held’.

Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster:

Heavy helicopters continued to bucket water onto North Bay 72 today, collaborating with crews on the ground. Planned ignition to reduce forest fuels ahead of the fire were cancelled due to weather conditions. This will take place as soon as weather conditions permit.

Resources From Out of Province

  • Saskatchewan has provided one 20 person sustained attack crew, two safety officers, one agency representative, one radio operator and an air tanker package.
  • Alberta has supplied fifteen 4 person initial attack fire crews, a 19 person Incident Management Team, 2 agency representatives, 6 division supervisors and 2 information officers. There are also 2 air tanker packages in addition to fire suppression equipment such as pumps and hose.
  • British Columbia has supplied twenty 3 person initial attack crews, two 19 person sustained attack crews and 2 agency representatives.
  • Nova Scotia has supplied five 4 person initial attack crews, one safety officer and one agency representative.
  • Prince Edward Island has supplied a 4 person initial attack crew.
  • Newfoundland has supplied a 4 person initial attack crew.
  • Northwest Territories has supplied five 4 person initial attack crews, one 3 person crew, and an agency representative.
  • Minnesota has supplied one air support group supervisor, a helibase manager trainee and a 20 person sustained attack crew.
  • British Columbia has provided Ontario with 1,080 lengths of 1.5” hose, 30 power pumps with tool kits, 30 intake hose, 230 fuel containers, 200 backpack pumps and 200 axes.
  • Alberta has provided 960 lengths of 1.5” hose, 50 power pumps with tool kits, intake hose, fuel containers, as well as 100 additional fuel containers, 201 shovels, 50 pulaskis and 30 chest coolers.

Additional resources expected in the coming days

  • The Northwest Territories is sending 1,000 lengths of 1.5” hose to the province of Ontario.

SMOKE CONCERNS

  • Many Ontario residents have reported smoke drift in their communities. Smoky conditions are expected to continue when fires are active, until weather patterns change.
  • 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 Tele Health Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Temagami area information

Last week, the MNRF has been advised by the Municipality of Temagami that the Mandatory Evacuation Orders from Temagami Shores, at the south edge of the town of Temagami, to Jessie Lake including Bell Island on Lake Temagami have been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert. Residents may return home however, must remain on alert as they can be asked to leave again at any time based on the fire situation. Other Evacuation Alerts remain in place.

Travel Restrictions

MNRF issued an Emergency Area Order (EAO) for parts of the North Bay District due to active fires around Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, Lake Temagami and the North Bay District.

  • Please visit Ontario.ca/forestfire as this information is being updated regularly.
  • For information about these travel restrictions: 705-475-5546
  • For media inquiries contact: 705-564-6146
  • For inquiries by members of the public contact: 705-564-6165
  • For inquiries on highway closures: Call 5-1-1

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 moderate to high across the Northeast tomorrow.