High winds, dry conditions fuel Ontario forest fires
Pastor Dale Morgan
High winds, dry conditions fuel Ontario forest fires*
Canadian Press
May 7, 2007 at 8:15 AM EDT
DRYDEN, Ont. Canada — High winds and dry conditions fuelled 21 new fires
in northwestern Ontario over the weekend bring the total number of fires
burning to 32.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is particularly concerned with two
fires, including a 40-hectare blaze about 10 kilometres west of Ignace.
Officials say while it has spread quickly, there is no property damage,
nor any reported injuries.
The second large fire encompasses about eight hectares and is burning
about 30 kilometres southeast of Sioux Lookout.
Firefighters on the ground and in water bombers are trying to keep the
flames away from several homes and cottages.
Officials also say smoke from a large fire just across the U.S. border
is blowing into the Dryden area.
*Fire situation escalating: MNR Look out for smoke*
A total of 21 new fires were reported in the Northwest Fire Region over
the weekend, including 10 on Saturday and 11 more yesterday.
Very high winds and extremely dry forest fuels resulted in all of
Northwestern Ontario experiencing an “extreme” forest fire hazard over
the weekend.
All new fire starts required multiple crew and waterbomber dispatches as
fire intensity and spread rates were extreme.
Any precipitation received last night was not enough to make a
significant or lasting reduction to the forest fire hazard, which
remains “high” to “extreme” across all of Northwestern Ontario.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has mobilized 25 four-person Type II
sustained action crews.
As well, additional helicopters and heavy waterbombers, from Manitoba,
have been positioned at bases throughout Northwestern Ontario.
The high intensity fires that erupted over the weekend required major
resource commitments and the extra firefighting personnel are being
brought in to reinforce the firefighting resources in Northwestern Ontario.
With the escalation in forest fire activity and the commitment of
significant firefighting resources to ongoing fires, the MNR is
recommending postponing all outdoor burning until conditions are safer.
You can help eliminate needless human-caused forest fires by postponing
burning.
In related news, smoke from a large fire burning just south of the
international border, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area south of Quetico
Park, will be present in Northwestern Ontario over the next few days,
the MNR warned today.
Smoke may be prevalent in the area of Fort Frances, Atikokan, Thunder
Bay, Upsala, Ignace, Dryden, and Sioux Lookout.
If you are concerned about the health effects of smoke from forest
fires, contact your local health unit.