Wildfires have burned more than 110,000 hectares in Ontario

With the sunshine and warmer temperatures over the weekend, the fire hazard in northeastern Ontario has returned to high as the number of active and out-of-control fires continues to decrease.

Last week, northeastern Ontario got some much-needed rain which temporarily lowered the danger rating, but the restricted fire zone remained in effect.

As of Monday morning, there are 51 active wildfires in northern Ontario – 20 in the northeast and 31 in the northwest – down from 67 the previous week.

Two of the three new fires in the last 24 hours began in the northeast, where there are 12 not yet under control.

The number of fires not yet under control in the northwest has decreased to eight.

There have been 278 wildfires since April 12 that have burned around 110,675 hectares (ha) and 227 of the fires have been extinguished. The number of fires is more than triple the total in 2022.

The restricted fire zone and fire ban remain in place for the region despite the forest fire danger rating in the northeast dropping to low.

"One thing (Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services) is doing is we’re continuing to monitor the landscape for holdover lightning, because this is lightning that can strike the ground and cause an under, almost beneath the surface ignition, and so fire management staff are still on the lookout for these hold over lightening fires," Kyle Hayward of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to CTV News in an interview.

COCHRANE 7

North of Lake Abitibi and east of Iroquois Falls near the Quebec border, Cochrane 7 still burns out of control and remains at 10,720 ha in size, the largest in the northeast region.

Cochrane 7 started June 2 and on Tuesday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry declared travel, use and access restrictions for the area.

Travel, use and access restrictions in place for areas north of Lake Abitibi due to three forest fires. June 4/23 (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)

Gabrielle Ayres, an MNRF fire information officer for the Cochrane District, told CTV News in a phone interview that people in the implementation area near Cochrane 5, 6 and 7 are not being forced to evacuate at this time.

#Cochrane 7 (COC007) is now sized at 10,395 hectares and is not under control. Values assessment and protection is ongoing. Heavy equipment is being used to build dozer lines around the north end, west flank and south end of the #fire. pic.twitter.com/4KxJaG3lNP

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) June 10, 2023

Ayres said the required travel permits allow the ministry to know where people are as firefighters continue to battle the blaze and keep them safe.

"Construction of dozer guards along the south end and western flank are ongoing to help contain the fire. The fire is 90 km east of Cochrane," the ministry said.

"If you have any questions or require travel permits, please contact the Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing District office at 705-272-7178 or by email [e-mail]." 

#FireRangers in Cochrane are feeling the support from the community. On June 9 Iroquois Falls residents Ashley and Anna delivered a handmade sign to thank #fire crews for their efforts in protecting public safety and local natural resources. Photo Credit: Ashley & Anna Bergounhon pic.twitter.com/FGIHCHiEFo

— Ontario Forest Fires (@ONforestfires) June 10, 2023

Highway 652 has fully reopened after being partially closed due to nearby wildfires.

SUDBURY 17

The third largest fire in the northeast is Sudbury 17 located about 55 kilometres north of Massey, which is about 96 km west of Greater Sudbury. Sudbury 17 is at 5,857 ha and is not yet under control.

Fire crews are allocated to this fire. It has grown about 600 ha since last week.

There is an evacuation order in place for communities around Highway 810, which is closed.

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Evacuation area due to wildfire Sudbury 17. June 7/23 (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry)

The Hwy. 810 closure has been expanded south to include an approximate two km stretch of Highway 553 to Tertiary Road.

MNRF also has travel, access and use restrictions in place.

Meanwhile in Elliot Lake, provincial police and city officials said in a news release Friday, "there is currently no need for an evacuation" in their community.

"The public will be notified immediately if this changes. (Elliot Lake) Fire Chief John Thomas is in constant contact with Ministry of Natural Resource crews who are actively working on the SUD#017 fire," Ontario Provincial Police said.

"Additional information will be provided when it becomes available should the situation change."

WAWA 3

The second largest fire in northeastern Ontario is Wawa 3 near White River. The fire is being held at 6,678 ha. An implementation order was placed on June 4 restricting travel in areas where active fire and fire suppression are taking place.

FIRES OF NOTE

Chapleau 3 is located east of Chapleau, remains 3,916 hectares in size and not under control. Values assessment and protection are ongoing. Helicopter bucket operations took place yesterday to work priority areas on the fire. Travel, use and access restrictions have been put in place for this area.

"If you have any questions or require travel permits, please contact the Chapleau-Wawa District Office at 705-856-2396," the MNRF said.

Kirkland Lake 5 remains at 2,300 hectares not under control north of Lady Evelyn Lake. Value assessment and protection are ongoing.

Sudbury 10 started June 2 east of Spanish River Provincial Park north of Espanola and has grown about 300 ha to 1,370 ha.

Chapleau 6 remains 1,239 hectares and is located about 48 km northwest of Chapleau and about 15.7 km west of the southern point of Missinaibi Provincial Park.  

Sudbury 19 started June 4 west of the same provincial park and has increased a bit to 459 ha.

Timmins 7 is currently sized at 149 hectares west of Mattagami First Nation currently not under control. Crews have established hose lines on the south end of the fire.

CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca will continue to have daily and breaking news updates as the forest fire situation continues. 

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REGIONAL FIRE BAN STILL IN EFFECT

Most of northern Ontario remains a restricted fire zone that prohibits open-air burning, including campfires.

"Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth BUT must be handled with extreme caution," MNRF said.

Since the regional ban took effect last week, three people have been charged for having campfires which comes with an $880 fire. Two others were charged for breaking the municipal fire ban in Elliot Lake on May 31.

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