Fire crews continue battle against forest fires in the region

Tim Brody - Editor

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services (AFFES) reported last Sunday evening (June 25), “At the time of this update there are 44 active fires in the Northwest Region; 11 of these fires are not under control, 3 fires are being held, 7 fires are under control and 23 fires are being observed.”
AFFES shared that there were two new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the late afternoon of June 25:

• Sioux Lookout 54 is located approximately 29.1 kilometres northeast of Weagamow Lake and 11.5 kilometres south of Pike Lake. The 100 hectare fire is not yet under control.
  
• Sioux Lookout 55 is located north of Big Trout Lake near Minko Bay, approximately 8.8 kilometres north of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation. The 0.1 hectare fire is currently under control. 
  

AFFES also shared updates on the following “Northwest Fires of Note:”

• Sioux Lookout 7 is located north of Cat Lake First Nation and remains at 16,002.8 hectares in size. Hose lines have been established on the southern end of the fire while the northern section is being monitored. The fire remains not under control.
  
• Sioux Lookout 33 is located on the western edge of Wabakimi Provincial Park and remains at 41,548 hectares in size. Values assessment and protection is ongoing. The fire was showing aggressive behaviour yesterday and remains not under control.
  
• Nipigon 13 is located west of Ogoki Lake and is now 30,639 hectares in size. Values assessment and protection is ongoing. The fire exhibited extreme fire behaviour yesterday and remains not under control.
  
• Nipigon 19 is located northwest of Ogoki Lake and remains at 8,705.8 hectares in size. Helicopter bucket operations are taking place on priority areas of the fire to limit the spread. The fire remains not under control.
  
• Red Lake 28 is located 50 kilometers North of Lac Seul First Nation and remains at 16,040 hectares in size. Successful ignition operations took place yesterday on the fire. The fire remains not under control.
  

Due to the extreme forest fire hazard, AFFES noted in their June 25 evening report that the Restricted Fire Zone declared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for the entire fire region of Ontario (Zones 1 to 36) remains in effect. 
AFFES noted, “Restricted Fire Zones help protect public safety. Open air burning, including campfires, is not permitted within the boundaries of a Restricted Fire Zone. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth BUT must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended.”