While there aren’t any new forest fires burning in the northeast since the weekend, the stubborn Timmins 2 blaze near Gogama refuses to get any smaller.
FireRangers continue to work around the perimeter of the fire, dousing hot spots, but it’s not getting any smaller, hovering at just over 4,600 hectares.
Otherwise, the fire hazard is low to moderate across the northeast.
Burning four kilometres from Gogama, the fire forced a temporary evacuation of vulnerable residents of Mattagami First Nation three weeks ago (residents were able to return home the next day) due to poor air quality from the smoke.
It is the only fire currently burning in the northeast, and has been burning for around three weeks now. The fire still measures at more than 4,600 hectares. Fire crews continue to douse hot spots along the fire perimeter to keep it contained.
Travel restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry remain in place. All travel and use of Jack Road from the intersection of Jack Road and Highway 144, westerly to the Ontario Power Generation Mesomekenda Lake Dam, at Mesomekenda Lake is prohibited.
All use and occupation of Crown Land or within 500 metres of the described closed roads within this area is prohibited, the ministry says.
Those who require access to the area for non-recreational uses can call 705-235-1334 to request a travel authorization permit, which is subject to review by ministry staff.
For updates on highway closures, check Ontario511 or @OPPCommunicationsNER on Twitter, and Ontario Provincial Police-Northeast Region on Facebook.
For updates on the fire situation, visit Ontario.ca/ForestFire or follow this page on Twitter — @ONforestfires.
To report a forest fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, dial 310-FIRE.
– Sudbury.com
