Staff
The hazy, yellow sky seen in Borderland yesterday was the result of fires burning along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border.
“The western sectors of the Northwest Region are receiving drift smoke from the Prairies,” MNRF fire information officer Jonathan Scott told the Times.
“It’s most likely from the northern Prairies where there’s a large number of active fires.”
The smoke started to drift into parts of the region, as well as northern Minnesota, yesterday.
It appears to be yellow due to high how up in the atmosphere it is.
The smoky conditions are expected to continue until weather patterns change.
Scott noted people with urgent health concerns relating to smoke should direct their calls to TeleHealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000).
Meanwhile, four new fires were reported in the region yesterday—all in the Nipigon area.
All four—sized at 15, 30, five, and 80 hectares, respectively—were classed as “not under control” as of press time.
Red Lake Fire #11, which started May 26 after a lightning strike, was reported as “under control” at 147 ha in size.
The forest fire hazard is “low” in the southern sectors of the region and “high” in the far north.
Precipitation is in the forecast for the next few days.
In related news, Ontario continues to support Alberta firefighting efforts.
There currently are 103 personnel there, along with pumps and hose equipment.
One person also is in Manitoba on a training assignment.
For more information about the current fire situation and the active fires map, visit ontario.ca/forestfire
Report forest fires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
