New fires pose few control problems: MNR

2:45: p.m. on May 31

The City of Greater Sudbury has lifted its fire ban, but reminds residents to use caution with outdoor burning.

For more information, visit www.greatersudbury.ca.

2:15 p.m. on May 31

The restricted fire zone for northeastern Ontario has now been lifted, effective 12:01 p.m., according to the MNR. The City of Greater Sudbury is expected to provide information soon on the municipality's specific fire ban.

Original story

After a string of quiet days, fire activity picked up again on May 30. 

Thirteen new fires were confirmed in the province, all of them in the northeast region and almost all lightning-caused, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. The starts were mostly small and posed few control problems.

Presently, there are 27 fires active in the province and 48,157 hectares burning. FireRangers made excellent progress on all existing fires. Kirkland Lake fire 8 has now been declared under control.

The MNR is expecting today to paint a similar picture, with a reasonable number of new lightning fires appearing in the northeast. After a lengthy period of rain, drying is now taking place in the northwest region and some human-caused fires could appear. Some resources will be returning to the northwest over the next few days in anticipation of the fire hazard increasing there.

Fire crews fighting Kirkland Lake fire 13 remained alert for any fire activity. Supplied photo.

The improving fire situation in Ontario has allowed some out-of-province resources to be released. Four waterbombers from Manitoba returned home over the last two days. There are currently 164 out-of-province fire personnel working in Ontario, as well as two CL-415 waterbombers from Newfoundland.

Northeastern Ontario has stabilized due to favourable weather conditions and advances in fire suppression activities. Though fire activity has slowed down, there is still a lot of hard work left on the ground for fire crews to extinguish remaining hot spots and build a strong line around the perimeter of the fires.

Timmins 9 is currently 39,518 hectares in size. The fire has not advanced any further toward Timmins.

Kirkland Lake 8 is currently 2,326 hectares in size. A combination of aggressive suppression by ground crews and recent rainfall amounts resulted in fewer problem ares detected in infra-red scanning. FireRangers will continue to be staggered along the eastern flank of the fire to lay more hose and work hotspots in the area. 

Kirkland Lake 13 is currently 696 hectares in size located between area of Twitchgrass Lake and Hilda Lake, west of Highway 65. The fire is not threatening either community of Elk Lake or Matachewan, and possesses minimal risk to highways and hydro infrastructure in the area.

Kirkland Lake 11 is currently 58 hectares in size. Progress is being made on the fire, and it is currently listed as under control.

Cochrane 10 is 159 hectares and is being held with line consolidating and crews patrolling.

Hearst 9 is currently 654 hectares. Some precipitation was received on the fire, and progress continues to be made.

Posted By Arron Pickard