Following is the Ministry of Natural Resource’s forest fire update for the Northwest Region on May 12, 2016.
There was one new fire confirmed in the Northwest Region by the afternoon of May 11. Thunder Bay Fire Number 14 is not under control at 1.0 hectare and is located near Kajander Lake.
One fire of note is Kenora 018, in the Ingolf area about 55 kilometers west of Kenora. It was last estimated at 5,800 hectares in size during the afternoon of May 11, and is not under control. There are lower temperatures and some precipitation in the long range forecast, but without significant rain, the fire hazard is still extreme.
An Incident Management Team has been assigned to the fire which has had continuous air attack with CL-415 heavy water bombers and Ontario FireRangers are working on ground attack, working to establish hose lines around the perimeter of the fire.
Another fire of note is Red Lake Fire 003 which is listed as not under control and is straddling the border between Ontario and Manitoba. We are remapping the fire and will have an updated size following that.
The Ontario portion of the fire is located in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park and Ontario Parks strongly cautions people to avoid the southwest portion of the park while suppression action is under way. Assessment for closures of routes or portage continue so people are advised to check with the park office for updates and information on possible route or access closures. The contact number is 807-727-1329.
