the MNR
Personnel returned from British Columbia yesterday, and replacement personnel boarded the return flight, providing ongoing support from Ontario for the firefighting effort there.
There are now over 600 fire personnel from Ontario in British Columbia and rotation of personnel to and from Ontario is expected to continue through August until the fire situation eases in British Columbia.
There were no new fires in the West Fire Region yesterday, and rain in the forecast is expected to keep the region in a “low” fire hazard for the next several days.
The exception to this is the southern sectors of the region into Thunder Bay District south, and along the north shore of Lake Superior in the Nipigon District. A fire hazard is expected to remain “moderate” and even “high” there until rain passes through those areas.
Meanwhile, fire staff in Kenora and Red Lake Districts will be providing support should localized flooding or road washouts occur with the forecast rainfall of 50 to 75 ml through the weekend and into next week. Severe weather may also occur with threats of hail, damaging winds and torrential downpours.
And in the far northwest portion of the region, sunny skies and warm temperatures are forecast for the next day or two but this is expected to shift to below seasonal temperatures by the weekend.
In related news, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Aviation and Forest Fire Management Branch has launched an interactive forest fire hazard map that is viewable at ontario.ca/forestfire
This map makes use of daily weather information and the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System to establish the forest fire hazard in each district inside Ontario’s fire regions.
The forest fire hazard is then shown in an easy to understand colour map.
By providing easy access to forest fire hazard information the MNR is helping you to be FireSmart
