THUNDER BAY – FIRE UPDATE – Wet cool weather has reduced the risk of wild fire across the Thunder Bay District. There were no new fires reported in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of May 17. The regional total of confirmed fires for the 2015 fire season is now 100 with an area burned of 427.5 hectares.
One new fire was reported in the Northwest Region on May 16, a 0.1 hectare fire that spread into the grass from a brush fire. Located in the community of Grassy Narrows in the Kenora District the fire was declared out within the day . FireRanger training continues at all fire bases.
The forest fire hazard is low across most of the region except the northern districts of Sioux Lookout and Nipigon where it ranges from low to high.
FireRangers in the Fort Frances District took advantage of the quiet fire scene to do some good work cleaning up years of accumulated trash at a vehicle pullover at the south end of Highway 502 near Fort Frances. A fire manager noted that over the years the pullover seemed to be a dumping ground for all types of trash and was a highly visible eyesore.
The Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program is reminding people that they are responsible for safe outdoor fire management and must follow guidelines set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario including no day burning of brush or grass fires. Campfires are to be tended at all times and put out before leaving.
For further tips on how to be FireSmart, visit ontario.ca/firesmart
For more information about the current fire situation and the active fires map, ontario.ca/forestfire
The Northwest Region Fire Information Hotline is available for general information updates – 1-888-258-8842
Report forest fires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
The next wild fire update for the Thunder Bay District is scheduled for May 19 2015.
