DRYDEN, Ont. – Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) fire crews have tamed a Red Lake forest fire, while another fire near the community of Eabametoong is drawing an increased response.
MNRF reports Red Lake 49, which forced the evacuation of thousands of people from Red Lake, is now considered under control and 100 per cent contained at 552 hectares.
While an order barring non-essential travel in the area has been lifted, travelers on the Madsen Highway 618 are warned to slow down and proceed with caution as Red Lake 49 remains an ongoing fire suppression area.
The ministry also asked the public not to enter the fire area in a release Sunday, warning of hazard from trees with weakened root systems.
Crews had established hose line around the entire fire and removed sprinklers from structures in its vicinity. 24 crews remain on the fire, with 4 helicopters supporting and 6 sustained action crews now on scene.
Meanwhile, the forest fire known as Nipigon 45 has grown slightly in size in recent days, listed at 6,678 hectares Sunday evening. It had also moved closer to Eabametoong, now sitting about 35 kilometres to the west of the First Nation, which itself is about 370 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
The community has evacuated vulnerable community members, largely to Thunder Bay, due to smoke concerns.
Most of the fire received only two to three millimetres of rainfall over the past 36 hours, though a western portion received eight to twelve millimetres.
The MNRF had 16 crews at work on the fire as of Sunday, supported by 8 helicopters, with an Incident Management team now assigned to the fire.
