With wet weather putting a damper on the regional forest fire situation, only one fire remains burning in Northwestern Ontario after the Canada Day long weekend—a longstanding blaze in Red Lake District covering 1,400 hectares.
Not only were no new fires reported by the Ministry of Natural Resources but Nipigon Fire #40, which started back on June 14, was declared “out” on Saturday morning at a final size of 55 ha.
Since the MNR fire season began April 1, the region has seen a total of 200 fires, consuming a total of 32,418 ha.
The fire hazard remains “low” across most of the region, with the hazard slightly higher—in the “low-medium” range—in the Fort Frances, Dryden, and Thunder Bay districts.
In related news, the Nipigon District MNR office wishes to advise the public that they should exercise care and caution while traveling on resource access roads within the Kenogami Forest.
Many of these resource access roads have not received regular maintenance, which may present an inherent danger to travellers.
The presence of water over the road, road washouts, or heavy rutting is ever present on such roads—and poses a real risk to travellers.
The public should avoid travelling on unfamiliar roads and traversing any submerged roadbeds. Even those travel routes considered familiar should be done with care and caution, and at reduced speeds.
The recent period of prolonged rainfall, combined with heavy rainfall events, has increased the risk of road washouts and flash flooding.
Backcountry water levels are high, with heavy stream flows being experienced throughout the area and, occasionally, along natural drainage paths which otherwise would be relatively dry at this time of year.
The Nipigon District MNR office has received numerous reports regarding road washouts and water over roadbeds. Reports of new or potential washouts would be appreciated so warnings can be posted.
The contact person for this is Doug Haldane at 1-807-854-1824.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
