Staff
The forest fire situation in the northern half of the Northwest Region remains “extreme,” with 96 active fires burning an area of about 254,000 hectares.
Most of these blazes are in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout districts.
The hazard in the south half of the region, meanwhile, is “moderate” but rising.
There currently are no active fires in the Fort Frances District.
Smoky conditions from the northern fires have prompted a number of Stage 1 evacuations of the elderly, people with health issues, and young children.
Satellite images show smoke aloft in a band from Manitoba directly eastward to mid-Quebec, and south as far as New Brunswick.
Safety for the public, as well as the Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services personnel, is the top priority as the fire situation worsens.
Extreme fire behaviour forced firefighters to pull back to safe locations a number of times.
And there is little relief in the forecast as winds are forecast to challenge the situation even further by tomorrow.
In related news, a Restricted Fire Zone Order has been declared for a portion of the Northwest Region.
The RFZ, which came into effect at midnight Saturday, has been declared for an area bounded by the CNR rail line, just north of Opasquia Provincial Park, west of Wabakimi Provincial Park, and the Manitoba border.
The order is in place to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
The RFZ will remain in effect until conditions improve.
The long-term weather forecast offers no relief in the form of significant precipitation in this area of concern, so active burning is expected to continue into next week.
Under an RFZ, all burning permits are suspended and all open fires are prohibited.
Campfires may be allowed at some organized campgrounds or parks that use approved fire pits and meet certain other criteria.
Campers should check with the owners or operators first.
Within the RFZ area, people still can use portable gas stoves for cooking and warmth, but the public is asked to exercise extreme caution.
MNR fire staff and conservation officers will strictly enforce the restrictions on open burning.
The fine for starting or tending a campfire in an RFZ is $500.
