THUNDER BAY – There were three new forest fires confirmed by the afternoon of August 5.
- Nipigon 16 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located near Kenogamisis Lake.
- Kenora 48 is not under control at 0.1 hectares and is located on an island on Umfreville Lake, approximately 71 kilometres northwest of Kenora.
- Red Lake 71 is not under control at 0.5 hectares and is located near Sydney Lake, approximately 55 kilometres southwest of Red Lake.
There are currently 37 active fires in the region. Five fires are not under control, three fires are being held, seven fires are under control, and 22 fires are being observed.
Fire hazard for the Northwest Region
The forest fire hazard is low to moderate in the northern portions of the region and high in the southern portions of the region.
Help prevent forest fires
Adopt safe campfire practices! Choose the site of your campfire carefully and keep your fire small. Stay nearby: never leave it unattended. Put your fire out by drowning it with water. Be sure that it is extinguished prior to leaving the site. Stir the ashes with a stick to uncover hot coals and then drown it again. You can never be too safe.
Consider alternatives to burning brush or yard waste, such as chipping or composting when possible, or saving burn piles for the fall or after the fire season. Use of outdoor fires must follow the outdoor burning rules set out in the Forest Fire Prevention Act of Ontario. Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Fires should never be left unattended and tools and water should be close at hand to put the fire out. More details on outdoor burning regulations can be found online at Ontario.ca/forestfire
