Fire ban lifted + fire update

[Buck 120 32]

Here is a cut and paste from the MNR, however I did hear on the radio that fires within the city of Thunder Bay are still restricted.

Situation Update - Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Highlights

Restricted Fire Zone lifted in Zones 8, 10, 11 ? effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday

Good progress being made on large fires

Restricted Fire Zone

Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, May 23, the MNR is lifting the Restricted Fire Zone in Quetico Provincial Park and in portions of the Thunder Bay and Nipigon Districts. This means that outdoor fires are now allowed across the Northwest Region. Some organized municipalities may have fire restrictions in place so anyone living in a municipality should check with their local municipal officials before burning.

Those who are in areas that allow outdoor fires are reminded that safe burning guidelines set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario still apply. This means there is no day burning of brush, grass or woody debris. Such fires are to be lit no sooner than two hours before sunset and be out no later than two hours after sunrise. People setting campfires for cooking and warmth must keep their fire small, attend it at all times and make sure it is dead out before leaving the site.

Thunder Bay Fire 37

The Thunder Bay Fire Number 37 is classed as Being Held at a size of 13,000 hectares. Infrared scanning of the fire continues and all hot spots are mapped and firefighters seek them out and extinguish them. Values protection equipment is now being retrieved throughout the fire area as it is no longer required.

Emergency Area Order Restrictions for Thunder Bay 37.

Thunder Bay 37 map

Thunder Bay Fire 39

Thunder Bay 39 is classed as Under Control at 685 hectares in size. About 15 hotspots showed up on an infrared scan Tuesday and crews found them and put them out. Another infrared scan will be conducted over the burned area on Wednesday. This process will continue until there are no more hot spots found and the fire is declared out.

Thunder Bay Fire Information Hotline --- (807) 476-2200

Emergency Area Order Restrictions for Thunder Bay 39.

Thunder Bay 39 map

Nipigon Fire 26

Nipigon Fire Number 26 received 2mm of rain overnight Monday, adding to rainfall that has fallen over the fire in recent days. A morning infrared scan of the fire came out with no hotspots showing.

Sioux Lookout Fire 11

There was general rain and snowfall recorded over the entire district Monday night. An infrared scan of Sioux Lookout Fire Number 11 showed there were lots of smouldering hot spots within the interior of the fire area.

Emergency Area Order Restrictions for Sioux Lookout Fire 11.

Sioux Lookout Fire 11 map

Thunder Bay Fire Information Hotline --- (807) 476-2200

NWR Fire Information Hotline --- 1-888-258-8842

-30-

Debbie MacLean

Fire Information Officer

Aviation Forest Fire Management

(807) 937-7241