the MNR
Kenora District has been the hot spot recently, with up to three fires having burned there in recent days.
Kenora Fire #26 was reported Friday afternoon. It was a single white pine tree ignited by a lightning strike and members of the public doused the fire.
Bad weather prevented fire personnel from attending the site on Friday.
A Kenora FireRanger crew travelled to the site Saturday morning to ensure the fire was completely “out.”
Meanwhile, Kenora Fire #23 continues to be monitored.
This fire, first reported on Sept. 5, is located on an island on Lake of the Woods. As part of a fire response plan on the lake, such fires are beneficial for ecosystem renewal.
But Kenora Fire #24, a similar blaze which also was being monitored, was declared “out” over the weekend.
In related news, several crew members across the region handed in their gear this week as they finished for the season.
Additional personnel were expected to sign off yesterday.
Meanwhile, the number of Ministry of Natural Resources fire personnel in British Columbia is now 198.
Return of Ontario personnel from the western province is occurring and will drop that number over the coming days.
Ontario equipment returns from British Columbia also have started, although a full amount is not expected back for several weeks.
There still is a significant commitment of equipment out there, including 10,000 lengths of fire hose, more than 520 power pumps, 70 self-supporting relay water tanks, and 150 sprinkler kits.
