Staff
Two new fires were confirmed in the Northwest Region yesterday, with both located here in Fort Frances District.
Fort Frances Fire #47, located on Gargoyle Lake, north of Sapawe, was classified as “being held” at 0.1 hectares in size.
Fort Frances Fire #46, meanwhile, is located on an island on Rainy Lake, east of Brule Narrows.
The lightning-caused blaze, estimated at 0.5 ha in size, was classified as “not under control” at last report.
With warmer weather in the forecast, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the forest fire hazard will increase to “high” in the districts of Fort Frances, Dryden, and Kenora, as well as Thunder Bay District north to Geraldton and Armstrong.
There currently are 51 active fires in the region, covering 88,681.1 ha in total.
Of these, 49 are listed as “being monitored” and are not threatening any communities or properties.
These monitored fires are quiet and showing minimal fire behaviour (mostly just smouldering).
There have been 518 fires so far this season, having charred more than 92,020 ha in all.
As the season progresses, some crew members are reaching the end of their seasonal contracts and many are heading back to college and university programs.
Annually, as people depart, the remaining personnel are consolidated into crews.
The level of resources maintained by the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is adequate for the expected fire situation.
The forest fire situation typically lessens in late August and September due to the changes in weather leading into the fall.
In related news, 36 MNR personnel—eight FireRanger crews and incident management staff for planning, logistics, aerial operations, and a liaison officer—all were briefed in Kamloops and have been deployed throughout the province of British Columbia.
Some staff will remain in Kamloops while others will head to Clearwater, Salmon Arm, Vernon, Penticton, Lilloet, and Fort Nelson.
