TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

Travel restrictions are in place for parts of North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Pembroke and Parry Sound districts due to forest fires. For details, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.

RESTRICTED FIRE ZONES

Restricted fire zone expanded to additional parts of the Northeast fire region (southern region)

Due to the extreme fire hazard, several recent periods of heavy lightning, little precipitation and increased forest fire activity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has expanded the Restricted Fire Zone to include parts of the Southern Region of Ontario as outlined on the interactive map.  This expansion of the current Restricted Fire Zone will be in effect as of 12:01 AM on July 24, and will remain in place until further notice.  

  • The expanded Restricted Fire Zone now includes Zones 24, 25, & 26 which would include areas south of the French River, including Parry Sound, from Georgian Bay east to the Quebec border, including Algonquin Provincial Park and from Renfrew north to Mattawa.
  • To date, the current MNRF Restricted Fire Zone covers Zones 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, & 26 and restrictions will remain in place until further notice.  See the fire map for an outline of the zones covered.
  • 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 in the Outdoor Fires Regulation (207/96).

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.

WILDFIRE UPDATES

Northeast Region 

Regional Fire Situation - July 25, 2018

By the evening of July 25 there were 50 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 16 are not yet under control, 34 are either being held, under control or being observed.

There were two new fires confirmed in the region today. Hearst 14, located approximately 42km south of Hearst, is 2 hectares and not yet under control. Two crews provided initial attack on the fire with aerial suppression support. Wawa 11 is being held at 0.1 hectares 75km southeast of Longlac.

Pembroke 5, 6, and 7

  • Fire activity on the Pembroke fires was minimal today. Pembroke 5, south of Grant’s Creek, is 37.5 hectares in size. Pembroke 6 and is burning at 697 hectares. Pembroke 7 runs parallel to Highway 17 and covers approximately 45 hectares. The status of these fires is still not under control.
  • Values protection continues. 

Incident Management Teams

  • Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are in place in the region. They are managing priority fires in three areas:
    • River Valley Cluster
    • Lady Evelyn Cluster
    • Parry Sound 33

River Valley Fire Cluster:

·         North Bay 42 is located north of Red Cedar Lake and is 350 hectares in size. North Bay 62 is located southwest of Hand Lake at 2,500 hectares. Both fires are now being held, meaning that the fires are not expected to spread under current conditions.

·         Fire behavior was relatively quiet today.  Crews took advantage of the dry weather to extinguish hot spots and smokes that popped up this afternoon.  The fires received about 65 mm of precipitation over the past 72 hours. 

·         Crews completed removal of sprinkler protection from structures on Red Cedar Lake and started on Thistle Lake.  This work will continue tomorrow.

·         North Bay 25, west of the cluster, continues to be monitored at about 200 hectares.

Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster:

·         The North Bay 72 fire remains at 27,579 hectares and is not yet under control. There are 265 firefighters and support staff and 12 helicopters assigned to this cluster. All resources were assigned to North Bay 72 today. Sprinklers continue to be monitored on values at Mendelssohn Lake, Skull Lake and Cook Lake. Crews continue to make good progress securing the northeast corner with hose line and heavy equipment began operations on the north edge of the fire perimeter.

·         The team continues to observe North Bay 18, 19, 46, 59 and 61.

Parry Sound 33

  • Parry Sound 33 required aerial fire suppression again today as fire activity increased. Stronger, warmer and drier lake effect winds than had been forecasted came from the southwest contributing to the increased activity. As a result, smoke was pushed across Highway 69 and into some communities to the east of the fire.
  • Resources on this fire included CL415 water bombers, two bird dog aircraft, heavy helicopters T802 amphibious aircraft and ground crews today. Values protection continues.
  • Additional crews from Mexico arrived on the fire today, bringing the total number of firefighters helping to suppress the fire to 90.

·         Values protection (sprinklers) will continue to be put in place on structures along the Pickerel River tomorrow.

·         Given the unpredictability of the fire, all access restrictions, including water restrictions, remain in place for the foreseeable future.

  • In the interest of public safety, on July 21, 2018 the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)’s Parry Sound district recommended that the communities, municipalities and townships within the area below impose a mandatory evacuation of their residents with boat access only:
    • All areas ranging from the western and northern borders of French River Provincial Park, east to Highway 69, and as far south as the south shore of the Key River; including all residents and members of the public on both the north and south shores of the French River, and the Pickerel River, as well as Hartley Bay.
  • There is also a recommendation by the MNRF Parry Sound district to impose an evacuation alert to all residents within this area who have road access to their residences or cottages. These residents should be prepared to evacuate pending a change in the fire situation.
  • In addition, the MNRF’s Sudbury district has recommended that all residents along Hartley Bay Road be placed on an evacuation alert, pending changes to the fire situation.
  • The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Conservation Officers have been on site helping notify the public of the situation, and facilitating this evacuation.
  • Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) has also been advised by Ontario Parks that the French River Provincial Park is fully closed west of Highway 69/400. All campers have been or are being evacuated. Ontario Parks has also suspended permit sales for the French River Delta and Pickerel River areas and are restricting entry to park users (everything west of Highway 69/400).
  • Henvey Inlet First Nation declared a state of emergency as a precautionary measure.  As of July 22 the community has successfully and safely evacuated all of its community members, who are receiving accommodation and food.
  • For information about the fire situation: 705-564-6165
  • For media inquiries: 705-564-6156
  • For inquiries about French River Provincial Park restrictions: 705-857-1630 ext 224
  • For Parry Sound District information, including all calls related to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call 705-773-4218.
  • For updates on highway conditions, including closures, please call 5-1-1.

Temagami Fire Cluster:

·         Fire activity has proven more manageable on fires in the Temagami cluster with all active fires in this cluster now classified as either being held or under control.

Resources From Out of Province

  • Ontario is receiving support from across Canada, the United States and Mexico to assist with the fire situation.
    • Alberta is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • British Columbia is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Northwest Territories is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • Nova Scotia is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Prince Edward Island is providing personnel.
    • Saskatchewan is providing personnel and aircraft.
    • Minnesota, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Mexico is providing personnel.
  • Additional personnel and equipment are expected to arrive in the province in the coming days.

Smoke Concerns

  • Many Ontario residents have reported smoke drift in their communities. Smoky conditions are expected to continue as a number of fires remain active throughout the northeast region until weather patterns and fire activity 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.

Fire numbers and online information:

  • To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE (3473)
  • To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.
  • Follow us on Twitter: in English @ONForestFires or in French @ONFeuDeForêt
  • For up to date information on current fires in the province or to check the forest fire hazard in your area, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire