Staff
Weekend rain helped the Ministry of Natural Resources with the region’s fire situation, although there continued to be a number of new starts.
“The Northwest Region experienced rainfall in most sectors, providing cooler temperatures and favourable weather conditions to attack many of the multiple fires that continue to burn,” the MNR reported in a press release.
“Fire intensity remained low, allowing FireRangers to make excellent progress,” it noted.
“Crew and overhead recycling on the larger fires is ongoing, and some complexes are into demobilization and retrieval stages.
“[But] there is still much work ahead and the season is far from over,” the MNR stressed.
Thirty percent of the MNR’s seasonal workforce soon will be heading back to school, and the ministry said it will be looking at extending seasonal contracts for the remaining firefighters.
It will rely heavily on contract Type 2 firefighters, as well, as it continues to look for assistance to other provinces if required.
Four fires reported yesterday, which continue to burn today, include two in Thunder Bay District—one human-caused and one lightning-sparked.
The other two were lightning-caused blazes in Nipigon District.
As of press time today, there are 77 active fires in the Northwest region affecting 604,954.4 hectares.
There are four in Fort Frances District (all burning in Quetico Provincial Park).
A total of 704 blazes have been reported since the fire season officially began April 1, charring 622,029.8 ha in all.
