Northeastern Ontario Fire Scene Calm

563
Timmins Forest Fire #9
Forest fire season is on - image is from Timmins Forest Fire #9 - Photo from MNR

Timmins Forest Fire #9
Forest fire season is on – image is from Timmins Forest Fire #9 – Photo from MNR
THUNDER BAY – WEATHER = The forest fire situation remains quiet across Northeastern Ontario. Above-average precipitation and below-average temperatures will keep new fire starts to a minimum and the fire hazard low over the week.

There was one new fire reported over the weekend on Monday, May 19. Cochrane District, Fire Number 1, is out at 16 hectares and was located just west of Cochrane, north of Highway 11.

Regional Synopsis

To date, only eight wildfires have occurred in northeastern Ontario, burning a combined total area of 64 hectares. Five fires were located in Sudbury, with one fire in Hearst, Cochrane and Kirkland Lake respectively.

Prescribed Burns

This spring, a Low Complexity Prescribed Burn occurred in the township of Phelps with the assistance of North Bay Fire Management Headquarters. The objective of this burn was both silvicultural and experimental; promoting the growth of natural and planted Red Oak
regeneration by using prescribed burning as a tending method, and to compare results with herbicide tending, brush saw trending and no tending. The burn was officially declared out on Thursday, May 8 at 0.3 hectares.

Due to wet spring weather, other scheduled prescribed burns have been canceled or postponed accordingly.

Be FireSmart!

Did you know? About 200,000 hectares of forest are burned each year and forest fires can cost millions of dollars to put out. Often, unattended campfires are the cause.

If you’re going camping and plan to have a campfire, please ensure you build a safe campfire. Keep your campfire small, have water nearby and never leave it unattended. Once you are finished, make sure your campfire is completely extinguished.

Under the Forest Fires Prevention Act (FFPA), if you start a wildfire, you could be held liable for the costs of suppressing the fire.

For tips on how to Be FireSmart and ensure your campfire is safe, visit www.ontario.ca/fireprevention

Report forest fires north of the French and Mattawa rivers by calling 310-FIRE (3473). In southern regions, forest fires can be reported by calling your local fire department.

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James Murray
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