Forest fire situation update from AFFES

Tim Brody - Editor

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), there were 11 active fires in the Northwest Region as of their May 25 evening report. Of these fires, AFFES reports that two are not under control, three are being held and 6 are under control.
“The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme for the western areas of the Northwest Region. “The Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas continue to see low to moderate fire hazards. Despite recent precipitation and cooler temperatures, forested areas remain extremely dry,” AFFES informed.
AFFES Fires of Note:
Kenora 20 (KEN020)
•    Kenora 20 remains at 31,276 hectares in size and is not under control.
•    Fire crews continue to make good progress establishing hose lines along the eastern perimeter of the fire while bucketing helicopters extinguish hotspots.  
•    Low intensity fire behaviour was observed today. 
•    Infrared scanning is planned again this evening to help identify hot spots and priority areas. 
Fort Frances 4 (FOR004)
•    Fort Frances 4 remains at approximately 3,593 hectares in size and is being held.
•    FireRanger crews continue to focus on finding and extinguishing hotspots. 
Sioux Lookout 3 (SLK003)
•    Sioux Lookout 3 remains at approximately 1,849 hectares in size and is not under control.
•    FireRanger crews continue to focus on finding and extinguishing hotpots.
Restricted Fire Zone Notice:
“Due to the extreme forest fire hazard conditions and to reduce the number of human-caused fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources has declared a Restricted Fire Zone effective Friday, May 16, at 12:01 a.m. local time for a portion of the Northwest Region (Zones 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8). The area impacted is from the southwest corner of the USA, Manitoba and Ontario border, north along the Manitoba border to west of the midway point of Weeskayjahk Ohtahzhoganeeng Provincial Park, east to north of Wabakimi Provincial Park, south along the western border of Wabakimi Provincial Park to the eastern border of Quetico Provincial Park until the USA border, then back west along the USA/Canada border to the Manitoba border.
“No open air burning, including campfires, is 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. The Restricted Fire Zone will be in place until further notice,” AFFES shared.
To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, people are asked to dial 310-FIRE. To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, people are asked to dial 9-1-1.
AFFES informed, “For tips on preventing wildland fires and information on the current fire situation, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X in English and French: @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet. For more information about the current wildland fire situation, visit  www.ontario.ca/forestfire.