No new fires were reported in the region yesterday and progress continues on all active fires as they are patrolled and assessed.
Fire operations also are consolidating, with field operations dismantling and operations being co-ordinated out of the fire management headquarters in Greenstone and Thunder Bay, and one forward attack base at Rinker Lake in the Thunder Bay District.
Fort Frances District called two more fires “out” yesterday afternoon.
As well, an aerial reconnaissance over Quetico Provincial Park was expected to result in a number of previously active fires within its boundaries being called “out” by day’s end.
On Monday, a helicopter and MNR FireRanger crew from Dryden District responded to a request for assistance from the OPP in a search and rescue for a downed aircraft in the Teggau Lake area southwest of Vermilion Bay.
The FireRanger crew and helicopter pilot assisted in transporting an injured person from the site, as well as two search and rescue technicians who had been dropped into the site by a Hercules aircraft out of Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, rehabilitation work is underway now on fire lines and the site of base camp operations, working to restore any affected streams, shorelines, base camp, and staging areas to a natural state.
The fire hazard is “low” to “moderate” across the region, but the moderate areas are expected to expand as nice weather continues into the long weekend.
A reminder that firefighter safety is a top priority, so people are urged to use care and caution when driving along roadways or hunting in areas where fire personnel are working.