Current Fire Information

West Fire Region Update

August 19, 2008 - 17:00

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• Night vision goggle technology tested for detection of forest fires
• Twelve new fires were reported in the West Fire Region
• Forest fire hazard high to extreme
• Help prevent human caused fires

Map of Active Fires in Ontario

Twelve new fires were reported in the West Fire Region by 17:00 on Tuesday. All new fires were responding well to aggressive initial attack by water bombers and fire fighters on Tuesday. However, there has been a continual increase in fire intensity over the last few days. Five new fires have occurred in the Sioux Lookout district, four have occurred in the Thunder Bay District, and one new fire has been reported in the Dryden, Red Lake and Nipigon Districts.

The forest fire hazard is high to extreme across the Northwest and the recent flurry of fire activity is expected to continue. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) has FireRangers and water bombers on high alert ready to respond to new fire starts.

Five three person FireRanger crews from the East Fire Region have been dispatched to the Northwest to assist with the escalated fire situation in the area.

The public can assist the Aviation and Forest Fire Management program by eliminating human caused forest fires. Fire Mangers recommend the use of portable gas cook stoves rather than lighting campfires. By eliminating preventable forest fires the OMNR can focus its resources on fighting lightning caused fires.

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West Fire Region Contact:

Forest Fire Management Centre - West Fire Region

P.O. Box 850, Dryden, Ontario P8N 2Z5

95 Ghost Lake Road

Travis Moffatt

Fire Information Officer
(807) 937-7375

 
Public Information Hotline: 1-888-258-8842