Fire crews get inside Parry Sound 33 to make progress

Smoke from Parry Sound is considerably better today, after weeks of increasing flames as progress is made. (Matt Bell fire information officer from Alberta)

PARRY SOUND — After weeks of working around the edges to contain Ontario’s largest forest fire, crews got inside Thursday

And they are now making good progress in the interior of the fire, using air support as needed. This includes areas of deep-seeded ground fire along the northeast flank.

Infrared scanning is taking place to help identify hotspots, which crews continue to track and extinguish.

As well, “values protection” (sprinklers) are being demobilized along the Pickerel River and other outlying areas for sections no longer under threat from the fire.

That’s the latest good news bulletin on the stubborn blaze that is now “being held,” as opposed to be out of control earlier this week.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources fire specialist Shayne McCool says as of this morning,  August 10, there are 47 active forest fires across the northeast.

Of these,11 are not yet under control, 36 are either being held, under control or being observed, he says.

There were four new fires confirmed Thursday, two of which has already been extinguished.

He says Cochrane 39 is not yet under control at 0.1 of a hectare

Wawa 12 is under control at 0.1 of a hectare

  • FireRanger and Coastal Ranger crews are responding to 5 fires in the far north in proximity to the Fort Severn community. There are an additional 5 fires further from the community that are being observed to allow the ecological benefits of fire to occur.

Incident Management Teams

Incident Management Teams (IMTs) are in place in the region. They are managing priority fires in the following areas:

Lady Evelyn Cluster

Parry Sound 33

Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster

  • FireRangers continue to work the perimeter of the fire area and moving upwards of 100 feet towards the middle of the fire.
  • Crews continue to search for and find hotspots. Some smokes continue to show themselves as the area dries out after the recent rainfall.
  • There have been some changes made to the travel restrictions around North Bay 72. A detailed map is available at Ontario.ca/forestfire

Parry Sound 33

  • No growth on the fire yesterday; it remains at 11,362 hectares.
  • Crews are making good progress in the interior of the fire, using air support as needed. This includes areas of deep-seeded ground fire along the northeast flank.
  • Infrared scanning is taking place to help identify hotspots, which crews continue to track and extinguish.
  • Values protection (sprinklers) are being demobilized along the Pickerel River and other outlying areas for sections no longer under threat from the fire.
  • The evacuation order issued by the Municipality of Killarney for residents in the areas of Travers, Allen, Struthers, Kilpatrick, Bigwood (including Hartley Bay Road), a portion of Mowat, the Unsurveyed Area, 14 Mile Island and French River Provincial Park still remains in effect. For information, call the municipality at 705-287-2424.
  • The evacuation alert issued by the Municipality of French River for residents in the Alban area, west of the high powered hydro lines on Highway 64 is still in effect. For more information, call the municipality at 705-898-2294 or visit www.frenchriver.ca.
  • For updates on highway conditions, including closures, please call 511.

For information about the fire situation: 1-888-220-7242

For media inquiries: 705-564-6156

For inquiries about French River Provincial Park restrictions: 705-857-1630 ext. 224

For inquiries about Grundy Lake Provincial Park closure: 705-383-2286

For Parry Sound District information, including calls related travel restrictions or to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call  1-888-220-7242

For Sudbury District information, including calls related to travel restrictions or to the recommendation of evacuation alerts, call  1-888-220-7242

Resources From Out of Province

Ontario is receiving support from across Canada, the United States and Mexico to assist with the fire situation. A total of 469 firefighters and support staff are currently in the province.

Alberta is providing personnel and equipment.

British Columbia is providing equipment.

Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.

Northwest Territories is providing personnel and equipment.

Nova Scotia is providing equipment.

New Brunswick is providing personnel.

Saskatchewan is providing personnel and equipment.

Quebec is providing personnel and aircraft.

Prince Edward Island is providing personnel

Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.

Mexico is providing personnel.

Parks Canada is providing personnel.

Smoke concerns

  • Smoke may be noted in the community of Fort Severn in the Far North, due to active fires to the south and west of the community.
  • Smoke from large fires across the region will be visible until fire activity is reduced and weather patterns change.
  • AFFES is reminding the public that if they do see flames or smoke, please report it, and stay away from the area in the interest of public safety.
  • If you have questions or concerns about smoke and your health, please contact Tele Health Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

Fire numbers and online information

To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE

To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, please dial 911.

Follow us on Twitter: @ONForestFires / @ONFeudeforêt