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Ontario Forest Fires

July 19, 2011 by · Comments Off on Ontario Forest Fires 

Ontario Forest FiresOntario Forest Fires, The heat is affecting the situation of forest fires in northwestern Ontario and the province. There are 103 active fires burning in Ontario. There were 20 new fires yesterday. This trend is expected every day to continue. Fire behavior has caused severe growth to several fires.

Smoke is visible in the sky for most of northern Ontario today, extending to the eastern provinces. The winds continue to move south today smoke, smoke issues will become evident in communities downwind of fires in the far north.

Smoke on the ground is creating problems for many First Nations communities. First Nations Chiefs and Emergency Management Ontario, along with several federal and provincial agencies, continue to discuss the fire situation and potential evacuations. Approximately 200 people were evacuated from Kee-way-win First Nation Greenstone today.

The fire north of Ear Falls has slowed efforts by Hydro One teams to restore power to communities. The fire has taken another section of the power poles on Monday, leading to power cuts in Pickle Lake, which has declared a state of emergency as a result of the situation.

Evacuations are underway to Fort Hope, and North Spirit Lake First Nation with families going to Greenstone. Residents of Beach Lake First Nation are in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout, due to heavy smoke in their communities.

Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to continue for several more days.

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