Real.
Out-of-control Ontario fire moving closer to Trans-Canada Highway
One of the largest forest fires in northeastern Ontario, Parry Sound 33, is continuing to grow despite aerial and ground-level efforts to stop its spread.
Officials with the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said Monday that the Parry Sound 33 fire had been expanding to the northeast and now comprised more than 8,200 hectares of land.
“We have seen some growth on Parry Sound 33,” ministry spokesperson Shayne McCool told CTV’s Your Morning.
The Parry Sound 33 fire was ignited July 18 near the community of Henvey Inlet, Ont., which is located approximately 100 kilometres south of Sudbury.
It is one of 39 fires burning in northeastern Ontario as of Monday morning. Fourteen of the 39, including Parry Sound 33, are considered to be out of control. The other 25 are either under control, being held or being allowed to burn for ecological purposes.
Two fires were extinguished in the northeast on Sunday, McCool said, but two others were discovered, leaving the total number of active fires at 39. Both of the new fires were less than half a hectare in size.
While the cause of Parry Sound 33 has not been determined, the vast majority of Ontario’s forest fires are believed to have been caused by lightning striking forests after lengthy periods without significant rainfall.
“Dry conditions in the forested areas have caused those fires to be ignited fairly easily,” McCool said.
Concern for the Trans-Canada-Highway
Flames from Parry Sound 33 were said to be seven kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway as of Sunday. The fire’s expansion pushed the fire closer to the highway, and McCool said the southwesterly winds being experienced Monday morning could put the key transportation route in further danger.
“It certainly could impact visibility along the highway,” he said, adding that authorities would close the highway if smoke or fire led to a public safety concern.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, which sits on the east side of the highway, was evacuated over the weekend due to concerns about the fire’s growth. Approximately 800 campers were told to leave the park. Several other provincial parks have been declared temporarily off-limits due to forest fires, as has the French River.
Other priority fires for crews in northeastern Ontario include the Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster northeast of Sudbury, which is considered out of control and encompasses more than 27,000 hectares, and a similarly uncontrolled, nearly 5,000-hectare fire north of Cochrane. A 2,500-hectare fire near Temigami is considered to be under control.
Hundreds of Mexican firefighters assisting
More than 556 firefighters from across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are working to control and extinguish the fires. McCool said more than 300 firefighters and support staff from Mexico were taking part in the firefighting effort. More firefighters and equipment are expected to arrive in the province this week.
https://beta.ctvnews.ca/national/canada/2018/7/30/1_4033039.html
Out-of-control Ontario fire moving closer to Trans-Canada Highway
One of the largest forest fires in northeastern Ontario, Parry Sound 33, is continuing to grow despite aerial and ground-level efforts to stop its spread.
Officials with the province’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said Monday that the Parry Sound 33 fire had been expanding to the northeast and now comprised more than 8,200 hectares of land.
“We have seen some growth on Parry Sound 33,” ministry spokesperson Shayne McCool told CTV’s Your Morning.
The Parry Sound 33 fire was ignited July 18 near the community of Henvey Inlet, Ont., which is located approximately 100 kilometres south of Sudbury.
It is one of 39 fires burning in northeastern Ontario as of Monday morning. Fourteen of the 39, including Parry Sound 33, are considered to be out of control. The other 25 are either under control, being held or being allowed to burn for ecological purposes.
Two fires were extinguished in the northeast on Sunday, McCool said, but two others were discovered, leaving the total number of active fires at 39. Both of the new fires were less than half a hectare in size.
While the cause of Parry Sound 33 has not been determined, the vast majority of Ontario’s forest fires are believed to have been caused by lightning striking forests after lengthy periods without significant rainfall.
“Dry conditions in the forested areas have caused those fires to be ignited fairly easily,” McCool said.
Concern for the Trans-Canada-Highway
Flames from Parry Sound 33 were said to be seven kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway as of Sunday. The fire’s expansion pushed the fire closer to the highway, and McCool said the southwesterly winds being experienced Monday morning could put the key transportation route in further danger.
“It certainly could impact visibility along the highway,” he said, adding that authorities would close the highway if smoke or fire led to a public safety concern.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, which sits on the east side of the highway, was evacuated over the weekend due to concerns about the fire’s growth. Approximately 800 campers were told to leave the park. Several other provincial parks have been declared temporarily off-limits due to forest fires, as has the French River.
Other priority fires for crews in northeastern Ontario include the Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster northeast of Sudbury, which is considered out of control and encompasses more than 27,000 hectares, and a similarly uncontrolled, nearly 5,000-hectare fire north of Cochrane. A 2,500-hectare fire near Temigami is considered to be under control.
Hundreds of Mexican firefighters assisting
More than 556 firefighters from across Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are working to control and extinguish the fires. McCool said more than 300 firefighters and support staff from Mexico were taking part in the firefighting effort. More firefighters and equipment are expected to arrive in the province this week.
https://beta.ctvnews.ca/national/canada/2018/7/30/1_4033039.html
