No new fires were reported in Ontario yesterday—the first time that’s happened since May 14.
Here in the Northwest region, Aug. 23 was the last day with no new fires, but that was followed by an unprecedented number of new fires that ignited from Sept. 7-19.
Fire crews are taking advantage of co-operative weather across the region to bring fires to a status of “being held,” “under control,” or “declaring them out.”
Crews continue to work on some of the 156 fires in Northwestern Ontario listed as “not under control.” Of interest is the fact they are using more than 8,700 lengths of hose on fires around the region.
Hooked together, that’s roughly enough to stretch from Toronto to Kingston, or from Thunder Bay to Marathon (266.5 km).
An Emergency Area Order remains in effect in the southern portions of the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts, and some road restrictions are in place as a result in the latter district.
The public is asked to use extreme caution when using forest access roads during this escalated fire situation. Bulldozers and heavy equipment will be used for fire suppression on many of the roads in the Thunder Bay and Nipigon districts.
As well, there are hundreds of ministry firefighters on back roads, both on foot and in various fire vehicles, or working around fire vehicles. Please drive slowly and with caution.
Road closure updates can be accessed by calling the fire information hotline at 1-888-258-8842.