The OPP and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported early Friday evening that they had closed Highway 17 at Bissett Creek between Deep River and Mattawa due to the heavy forest fire smoke along the Trans Canada Highway corridor.
Crews have been battling this blaze from the air and the ground.
“Three Twin Otters, a lead birddog aircraft, a belly tanker helicopter and one CL415 waterbomber dropped water on Pembroke 5, 6, 7 and 8 throughout the afternoon and into the evening today,” stated Isabelle Chenard, MNRF Forest Fire Information officer for the Northeast Region.
“These lightning-caused fires have now grown in size and heavy smoke impacted visibility on Highway 17 east of Bissett Creek Friday. The Ontario Provincial Police have closed Highway 17 as a result. For updates on highway closures contact 5-1-1. The highway remains closed at the time of this update. Values protection is also underway (sprinklers on structures) on Pembroke 6, 7 and 8.”
As of 7:30 p.m. Friday night, OPP stated they were not aware when it will reopen.
However, RenfrewToday.ca is reporting that the highway re-opened this morning.
By the evening of July 20, there were 65 active forest fires across the Northeast, of these, 34 are not yet under control, 31 are either being held, under control or being observed.
