the MNR
No new fires were reported in the West Fire Region yesterday, but a small number of blazes earlier in the week have kept Ministry of Natural Resources crews busy this fall.
Two new fires occurred Monday and Tuesday in the Lake of the Woods area of Kenora District.
Kenora Fire #27 was a lightning-caused fire on an island near Nestor Falls.
The Nestor Falls fire department responded to the blaze, which is now “out” at 0.1 hectares in size.
Kenora Fire #28 was another lightning-caused blaze, this one located at the south end of the district.
Kenora FireRangers responded to the fire, located southwest of Blueberry Island, which is now “out” at 0.1 ha in size.
On Sunday, Fort Frances District responded when a white pine tree on an island on Rainy Lake was struck by lightning and ignited into open flame.
A FireRanger crew responded by boat and put the fire out.
Meanwhile, Kenora Fire #23 continues to be monitored by FireRangers there.
It is located on an island on Lake of the Woods, and as part of a fire response plan on the lake, this blaze is considered beneficial for ecosystem renewal.
FireRangers will visit he site as soon as weather permits and will assess whether to continue monitoring the blaze or instead put it out now that weather conditions are affecting boat travel to the site.
As well, the MNR’s Fire Management Headquarters in Dryden reported a prescribed burn ignited early in September on an island on Eagle Lake is classed as “under control” at 18 ha in size.
The primary goal of the burn was to reduce the amount of hazardous storm-damaged fuels on an island located in the southwest portion of Eagle Lake known as Eldorado Bay.
The fire also helped to remove competing shrubs and balsam fir in the understory of white and red pine trees.
A trip to the site was planned for today to review research plots that are part of the post-burn assessment.
The fire will be monitored until it goes out naturally.
Prescribed burning is a land management tool that’s used to reduce wildfire hazards, to conduct wildfire research in storm-damaged fuels, and to restore the health, integrity, and sustainability of ecosystems.
Finally, with hunting season upon us, hunters and campers are reminded to be “FireSmart.”
With cooler evenings and mornings, people are lighting campfires for warmth and cooking.
When you are ready to leave the site, ensure to properly extinguish your campfire.
