Staff
While the fire hazard is “low” heading into the Victoria Day long weekend, the Ministry of Natural Resources’ regional fire management headquarters is urging those enjoying the outdoors to be cautious.
Fire information officer Deb McLean said crews dealt with a rash of fires across the region earlier this week due to the high winds and trees falling across hydro lines, including two here in Fort Frances District.
There are no active fires in the West Fire Region as of today.
That said, there always is a potential for fires, with McLean reminding those going fishing or otherwise spending time in the outdoors this weekend to make sure their fires are properly extinguished.
“One thing about shore lunch fires is to make sure they are put out properly, and that they’re built on a site that’s down to the mineral soil,” she noted, adding fires sometimes can smoulder for days or even weeks before they “pop up” at a later date and become a wildfire.
“Follow the basic practices of making sure the fire is properly constructed and it is put dead out before [you] leave,” stressed McLean, pointing out this isn’t just good advice but a requirement under the Fire Prevention Act.
Since April 1, there have been a total of 47 fires in the West Fire Region, consuming 22.9 hectares.
“The weather has been in our favour and we haven’t had to deal with a serous fire at this time,” said McLean.
“But in order to keep it that way, then proper management of all outdoor fires is the way to go to keep that situation safe.
“There are possibilities, particularly with it being May long weekend and people could be setting fires for cooking and warmth, and naturally they would, that if they don’t properly extinguish those fires, they could become a problem at a later date.
“It might be surprising to some people how long those fires can smoulder if they get into any organic matter,” she warned.
McLean also noted that with the exception of the recent hydro line-related fires, many of the aforementioned 47 blazes were caused by people and could have been prevented.
“Even though it’s been a cold, wet spring, we’re still already up to 47 fires,” she said. “That’s 47 times there could have been a threat to people or property.”
