Photo Credit: Jordan Charlebois
Extra support has arrived for regional fire crews battling an already busy forest fire season.
The Northwest Fire Region welcomes out of province support from Newfoundland and Labrador in the form of two water bombers, a flight crew and air craft maintenance engineers.
As of 3:30 p.m. Fire Information Officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources Chris Marchand tells us there are 24 active fires in the Northwest Region, with at least 11 considered not under control.
“The forest fire hazard is high to extreme throughout the southern portion of the region. The high winds and low humidity values are resulting in some very strong fire behavior, as evidence of a cluster of fires in the Willard Lake area. One of these fires has grown to 150 hectares since it’s discovery yesterday.”
The cluster, now being referred to as Kenora 25, is receiving air attack with four crews on it and the area east of Kenora near Hawk Lake is being evacuated.
Marchand continues: “in times like this we urge residents to be extra vigilant and avoid outdoor burning if they’re in a high hazard area, particularly in windy conditions.”
If conditions stay the same, Marchand expects to see further escalation of high fire hazard conditions in the region.
Another fire of note is Sioux Lookout Fire 3, listed at 500 hectares and not under control.
In the meantime, Ontario has sent 42 Northeast region personal to assist with Manitoba’s wild fire situation.
More information and updates on the Northwest region’s fire situation will be added as it becomes available by the MNRF.
You can view the active fire map here.
