The rain falls but officials say ‘extremely dry fuel conditions remain’

An update on the forest fire situation in northeastern Ontario.

As of last evening, there were 44 active forest fires across the northeast. Of these, 18 are not yet under control, 26 are either being held, under control or being observed.

Officials from the MNRF say Parry Sound 33 received approximately 10 millimetres of rain but extremely dry fuel conditions remain.

Firefighters took advantage of the precipitation, high humidity and low winds to tighten the perimeter of the fire that has seen smoke hover over the North Bay area frequently this summer. As far as mapping Parry Sound 33, it is anticipated that only minimal growth occurred on this fire. It measures over 11,000 hectares and is not yet under control.

North Bay 72, in the Lady Evelyn Fire Cluster, is still listed as not under control and is currently mapped at approximately 27,000 hectares, making it two weeks it has not grown in size.

• 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 inquiries about French River Provincial Park restrictions: 705-857-1630 ext. 224
• For inquiries about Grundy Lake Provincial Park closure: 705-383-2286 or 705-795-0803
• For Parry Sound District information, including calls related travel restrictions or to the recommendation of these evacuations and alerts, call 705-773-4218.
• For Sudbury District information, including calls related to travel restrictions or to the recommendation of evacuation alerts, call 705-564-7963.