Forest fire hazard dampened by precipitation

Staff

Rain has been dampening the fire hazard across much of the region.

The forest fire hazard is predominantly low with a few pockets of moderate hazard in the districts of Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Nipigon.

There were no new forest fires confirmed by the afternoon yesterday.

There are currently 16 active fires in the region. Three fires are under control, and 13 fires are being observed.

Nonetheless, the MNRF is warning the public to adopt safe campfire practices.

Choose the site of your campfire carefully and keep your fire small.

Stay nearby: never leave it unattended.

Put your fire out by drowning it with water.

Be sure that it is extinguished prior to leaving the site.

Stir the ashes with a stick to uncover hot coals and then drown it again.

You can never be too safe.

Consider alternatives to burning brush or yard waste, such as chipping or composting when possible, or saving burn piles for the fall or after the fire season.

Use of outdoor fires must follow the outdoor burning rules set out in the Forest Fire Prevention Act of Ontario.

Fires are to be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.

Fires should never be left unattended and tools and water should be close at hand to put the fire out.

More details on outdoor burning regulations can be found online at Ontario.ca/forestfire

To report a forest fire, call 310-FIRE (3473).