PICKLE LAKE, Ont. -- Despite a forest fire burning within a kilometre of its largest centralized population, there has been no structural or property damage in Pickle Lake.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry firefighters, along with the town's fire department, have been battling the fire that broke out late Thursday afternoon and burned along the Pickle Lake corridor.
Pickle Lake clerk treasurer Jamie Hussey said the wildfire came within half a kilometre of Central Patricia, the largest centralized population within the township.
"I don't anticipate we will be issuing a state of emergency since the fire has been moving away from town. The fire was fairly suppressed (Thursday) night and our local fire crew was out until midnight doing road suppression, anything that was starting to flare up close to the town limits on the roadway we could get," Hussey told CKPR Radio on Friday.
"The MNR was out as well doing hot spots (Thursday) night. The MNR crew was on the ground (Friday) morning at 7. The foot crews were out in the bush and they were starting to suppress the flames again."
The ministry's interactive fire map on Friday showed the blaze, Sioux Lookout 8, at 780 hectares. It is currently considered to be not under control.
Ministry water bombers dropped water on the fire Thursday night and on Friday helicopters have been observing the fire to direct ground attack.
"We had no buildings lost (Thursday) night, which is a huge win for our town. No structures were damaged and no property damage to any properties in town," Hussey said. "Everybody is safe and all of our structures are still standing."
Despite having notices printed and ready, the municipality has not had to evacuate anybody from their homes. The community still has two access points, as both Highway 599 and the Pickle Lake Airport remain open.
Hussey said the community's school is closed on Friday to keep children with their parents. The community hall has been opened to residents, providing updates as well as coffee, meals and power to charge phones.
"Nobody panicked from what I've seen with people coming into the community hall this morning. Everybody is pretty low-key looking for an update. There's no panic rushing through the community right now," Hussey said, adding that morale remains high.
"We're definitely grateful for the fact the wind died down and the ministry got in when they did (Thursday)."
