The Parry Sound 33 forest fire grew to 10,139 hectares in size Tuesday. The fire is approximately five kilometres west of Highway 69 and less than one kilometre south of Pickerel River.
This is according to the fire situation update issued by the province's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services division.
Fire behaviour was less active Tuesday as high humidity levels and cloud cover aided in fire suppression.
The northeast portion of the fire closest to the Pickerel River was the most active part Tuesday. Winds from the southwest pushed some activity along the Pickerel, but it’s still holding south of the river.
The northeast corner of the fire is tucked along the west side of Little Canoe Channel. Ignition operations in that area were completed earlier this evening to tie the fire together and slow its progression down.
Structural protection continues. Additional protection occurred along the Key and French Rivers with sprinklers set up in noted priority zones.
Crews worked the perimeter of the fire by continuing hose line north and northwest of Key Harbour. Sixty firefighters were placed along the east side, south of the Key River to continue perimeter containment.
Even though the focus is on the northeast side, firefighters continue to suppress and monitor all portions of the fire.
Winds are forecasted to be out of the north Wednesday. The fire is approximately five kilometres west of highway 69 and less than one kilometre south of Pickerel River.
The Municipality of Killarney issued an evacuation order 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.
This does not include the Village of Killarney.
The Municipality of French River issued an Evacuation Alert for the Alban area, west of the high powered hydro lines on Highway 64.
Across the northeast, by the evening of July 31, there were 41 active forest fires. Of these, 13 are not yet under control, 28 are either being held, under control or being observed.
There were five new fires confirmed in the region Tuesday, four of which were in the Sudbury sector. One has already been called out.
- Sudbury 97 – located southeast of Lake Wanapitei – is being held at 0.2 of a hectare.
- Sudbury 98 – approximately 5 km west of Mozhabong Lake – covers 0.3 of a hectare and is not yet under control.
- Sudbury 99 – west of Squirrel Lake – is being held at 0.1 of a hectare.
- Cochrane 23 is located approximately 136 km southwest of Moosonee and covers 33 hectares.
Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster
North Bay 72 covers 27,285.7 hectares. It is not yet under control. There were a few smokes and hot spots observed again today.
Values protection equipment remains in place for camps and cottages located on Mendelssohn Lake and Skull Lake. There is over 12 km of dozer guard along the northwest head of the fire, which was created using multiple pieces of heavy equipment.
There are over 200 front line forest fire fighters assigned to this fire.
Pembroke Fire Cluster
Crews continue to make good progress on all fires. Pembroke 5, Pembroke 7 and Algonquin Park 11 are being held. Pembroke 6 is not yet under control at 697 hectares.
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 627 firefighters and support staff are currently in the province.
- Alberta is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
- British Columbia is providing personnel and equipment.
- Newfoundland is providing personnel and equipment.
- Northwest Territories is providing personnel, equipment and aircraft.
- Nova Scotia is providing personnel and equipment.
- Saskatchewan is providing personnel.
- Minnesota, USA, is providing personnel.
- Wisconsin, USA, is providing personnel.
- Mexico is providing personnel.
- Parks Canada is providing two ignition specialists.
- Additional personnel and equipment are expected to arrive in the province in the coming days.
Smoke concerns
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.
Travel restrictions
Travel restrictions in the Parry Sound and Sudbury districts have been expanded in the vicinity of the Parry Sound 33 fire. Travel restrictions also remain in place for parts of North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury and Pembroke and districts due to forest fires.
For details, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.
Travel restrictions in the North Bay, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury districts have been updated. Consult the website on Tuesday morning for updated information and a new map.
Restricted fire zones
Restricted fire zone expanded to additional parts of the Northeast fire region (southern region)
Due to the extreme fire hazard, several recent periods of heavy lightning, little precipitation and increased forest fire activity, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has expanded the Restricted Fire Zone to include parts of the Southern Region of Ontario as outlined on the interactive map. This expansion of the current Restricted Fire Zone will be in effect as of 12:01 AM on July 24, and will remain in place until further notice.
The expanded Restricted Fire Zone now includes Zones 24, 25, & 26 which would include areas south of the French River, including Parry Sound, from Georgian Bay east to the Quebec border, including Algonquin Provincial Park and from Renfrew north to Mattawa.
To date, the current MNRF Restricted Fire Zone covers Zones 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, & 26 and restrictions will remain in place until further notice. See the fire map for an outline of the zones covered.
During a Restricted Fire Zone, the use of open fires – such as campfires, or burning of brush or debris is restricted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.
Portable gas or propane stoves are permitted for use for cooking or warmth, though they should be closely monitored. Portable charcoal BBQs and Hibachis are not permitted unless within 100 metres of a dwelling, or within an organized campground.
Commercial campground operators may allow their guests to enjoy campfires during a Restricted Fire Zone period provided they meet certain conditions in the Outdoor Fires Regulation (207/96).
The Restricted Fire Zone is a temporary measure to reduce the number of new human-caused wildfires as the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the OMNRF expects the elevated forest fire hazard to continue into the foreseeable future.
For more information, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.
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