In the latest update, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says crews are making excellent progress in critical areas of the Parry Sound 33 fire ahead of the long weekend.

The evacuation order for Henvey Inlet First Nation has been extended to August 10 due to heavy smoke from the Parry Sound 33 forest fire.

All 195 residents fled their homes on July 21 and have been sheltering in Sudbury and Parry Sound.

Wayne McQuabbie is the Chief of Henvey Inlet First Nation.

"We understand that fire crews are staving off the fire from jumping the Lower Pickerel River, and we’re hoping it doesn’t jump over where there is a higher density of residents and cottagers.” said McQuabbie.

Fire crews have set up protections for the houses and buildings in the community.

“The next couple of days will be a challenge for MNRF fire crews due to wind and dry conditions. So far, crews had good results combating the fire. Sprinkler systems are in place on every household and building in the community as a precautionary measure.”  said McQuabbie.

The MNRF update in its entirety:

Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services

Forest Fire Situation Update
Northeast Fire Region
August 2, 2018
Time of Report 23:40

  • By the evening of August 2, there were 47 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 21 are not yet under control, 26 are either being held, under control or being observed.
  • There were no new fires discovered today and one fire was extinguished.

Incident Management Teams

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

Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster

·         North Bay 72 received a significant amount of precipitation today.

·         With the favourable weather, crews were able to continue consolidating control lines.

·         Infrared scanning is being utilized on the fires in this cluster to help find hot spots near fire perimeters.

 

Parry Sound 33

  • This fire has been remapped at 11,185 hectares.
  • Another great day for crews working and laying hose around the perimeter of the fire.
  • Crews continue to make excellent progress in critical areas, especially along the northeast side of the fire near the Pickerel River.
  • Higher winds out of the southwest today tested the northeast perimeter, but the hose lines held and kept the fire’s spread in check. It is estimated that most of the east flank has been tied with hose line.
  • Waterbombers and helicopters worked in conjunction with the crews to help tie off areas of activity.
  • The fire remains south of Key Harbour, and north of the Henvey Inlet waterway. Crews are working on perimeter containment on the southeast side of the fire north of Henvey Inlet.
  • The west side of the fire remains unchanged; the fire remained quiet in the vicinity of Fox Island on the western perimeter. Crews continue suppression along the western flank of the fire.
  • Structural protection continues.
  • Even with today’s winds, the fire remains approximately 5 kilometers away from highway 69 and less than one kilometer south of the Pickerel River near the CN trestle bridge on the west side of highway 69.
  • Tomorrow’s weather calls for another day of southwesterly winds.
  • Earlier this week, the Municipality of Killarney issued an evacuation order for residents in the areas of Travers, Allen, Struthers, Kilpatrick, Bigwood (including Hartley Bay Road), a portion of Mowat, the Unsurveyed Area, 14 Mile Island and French River Provincial Park. For information, call the municipality at 705-287-2424.
  • Earlier this week, the Municipality of French River issued an Evacuation Alert for the Alban area, west of the high powered hydro lines on Highway 64. For more information, call the municipality at 705-898-2294 or visit www.frenchriver.ca
  • For updates on highway conditions, including closures, please call 511.
  • For information about the fire situation: 1-888-220-7242
  • For media inquiries: 705-564-6156
  • For inquiries about French River Provincial Park restrictions: 705-857-1630 ext. 224
  • For inquiries about Grundy Lake Provincial Park closure: 705-383-2286 or 705-795-0803
  • For Parry Sound District information, including calls related travel restrictions or to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call 705-773-4218.
  • For Sudbury District information, including calls related to travel restrictions or to the recommendation of evacuation alerts, call 705-564-7963.

 

Pembroke Fire Cluster

  • Crews continue to make good progress on all fires. Pembroke 5 and Pembroke 7 are under control. As of 3:00pm today, Algonquin Park 11 is now under control Pembroke 6 is being held.

Resources From Out of Province

  • Ontario is receiving support from across Canada, the United States and Mexico to assist with the fire situation. A total of 543 firefighters and support staff are currently in the province.
    • Alberta is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • British Columbia is providing equipment.
    • Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Northwest Territories is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
    • Nova Scotia is providing equipment.
    • Prince Edward Island is providing personnel.
    • New Brunswick is providing personnel.
    • Saskatchewan is providing personnel and equipment.
    • Quebec is providing aircraft.
    • Minnesota, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.
    • Mexico is providing personnel.
    • Parks Canada is providing personnel.
  • Additional personnel and equipment are expected to arrive in the province in the coming days.

Smoke concerns

·         Smoke may be noted in the community of Fort Severn in the Far North, due to 9 active fires to the south and west of the community.

·         Smoke from large fires across the region will be visible until fire activity is reduced and 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.

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.

Fire numbers and online information

  • To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE
  • To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @ONForestFires / @ONFeudeforêt

Report Prepared by the AFFES Communications Team