Latest news with #ThunderBayFireRescue
CBC
13-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Thunder Bay, Ministry of Natural Resources lift fire bans in city and across northwestern Ontario
A two-weeks-long fire ban that was in place for Thunder Bay has been lifted by Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, while the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has lifted all fire bans on Crown land and unincorporated rural townships across northwestern Ontario. The fire bans were lifted at 10 a.m. on Friday for Thunder Bay, at 12:01 a.m. for northwestern Ontario restricted fire zones (RFZ) 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue says its decision aligns with the MNRF declaration of lifting the Restricted Fire Zone for the Thunder Bay District, issued in response to a lowered wildfire risk. The fire ban had been in effect since May 30 on all outdoor open-air burning within the City of Thunder Bay. With the ban lifted, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue says all open-air and recreational burning permits are now valid. Don't let your guard down, MNRF tells residents The MNRF says it considered a number of factors in arriving at its decision. These include daily weather and fire conditions, as well as forecast weather trends over longer periods of time and potential drying conditions and precipitation. The ministry also considered the number of wildland fires that are burning, and the number of resources required to manage both current and potential wildland fires. "Lifting the RFZ does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to preventing human-caused fires. We all need to remain vigilant and keep safety top of mind when having outdoor fires," the MNRF said in a Friday update. The ministry is reminding people that the overall fire danger can change rapidly based on the daily weather resulting in low to moderate fire hazard one day, followed by high to extreme the next simply based on the surface forest fuels drying out quickly, leading to fires starting easily and higher rates of fire spread under the right burning conditions. The ministry says it will continue to assess wildland fire hazard conditions and an RFZ designation may be reinstated in higher risk areas if the fire hazard and fire activity warrants. New wildland fire in northwest region Meanwhile, one new wildland fire — Red Lake 19 (RED019) — was confirmed in the northwest region Thursday evening, the MNRF says. RED019 is located approximately 25 kilometres east of the Ontario-Manitoba border, and 10 kilometres northwest of Angekum Lake. The five-hectare fire is not under control, the ministry said. At the time of the ministry's latest update there were 21 active wildland fires in the northwest region. Of those fires, seven were not under control, one was being held, five were under control and eight were being observed. The ministry says the wildland fire hazard is mainly moderate across the northwest region with pockets of high hazard scattered throughout all sectors. The hazard across the far north is low.
CBC
29-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Deer Lake First Nation evacuation begins as wildfires ramp up across the region
As crews work to douse a dozen wildfires in northwestern Ontario, new restrictions are being put in place in hopes of preventing further damage. On Wednesday, Deer Lake First Nation called for a community evacuation due to a 100-hectare wildfire known as Red Lake 12, located near the remote community's airport. CL415 waterbombers worked throughout the afternoon until dark to reduce the fire's intensity. By morning, it had grown to about 2,500 hectares. While it is moving in a westerly direction away from the community, chief and council have requested a Phase 1 evacuation of vulnerable people starting Thursday, said Chris Marchand, fire information officer with Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES). "That certainly illustrates the very dry conditions that we're seeing and have seen over the last several weeks," Marchand told CBC News in an interview Thursday afternoon. "This area close to the Manitoba border has not seen more than 10 millimetres of rain in weeks, and there really isn't a lot to look forward to in the forecast." About 1,100 people live in Deer Lake, an Oji-Cree community in Treaty 5 located about 180 kilometres north of Red Lake. It is only accessible by air or winter road. CBC News has reached out to community leadership and officials and is waiting to confirm details about where evacuees from Deer Lake are being sent. Dave Tarini, deputy chief of Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, said evacuees will be hosted in southern Ontario, but he is unaware of the exact location. Further south, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations has been under an evacuation order since May 13; evacuees are staying in Niagara Falls, Kenora and Winnipeg due to Kenora 20, which is now 34,000 hectares large. Meanwhile, east of Deer Lake, Webequie First Nation issued a pre-evacuation notice to its members on Wednesday, urging them to create 72-hour emergency kits due to Nipigon 5, which is within one kilometre of the First Nation. "Out of caution, chief and council, alongside health officials, are advising all residents — especially those with respiratory conditions or chronic health issues — to remain indoors as much as possible. Air quality and fire movement will continue to be monitored on an hourly basis," the First Nation said in an update issued Thursday. Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, alongside Environment and Climate Change Canada, have issued special air quality statements for much of the northwest. These span as far north as Fort Severn, east to Geraldton, south to Dryden and west to Kenora, affecting more than a dozen First Nations. On Wednesday evening, Ontario's (AFFES) reported that: Five fires are under control. Three fires are being held. Three fires are not under control. Four fires have been called out over the last 24 hours. New restricted fire zone in effect Friday As of midnight on Friday, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources is enforcing a new restricted fire zone in the northwest. Another restricted fire zone has been in effect since May 16, including areas between the U.S. and Manitoba borders to Atikokan, and north to Pickle Lake. The new restricted zone extends eastward from the existing boundaries near Upsala and Quetico Park in the south to encompass the Thunder Bay area, with the Nipigon River acting as the new eastern boundary, Marchand explained. "At a time when we have significant fire activity that is affecting various communities and engaging so much of our resources, it's important that we take these measures to limit the potential for human-caused fires at this time," he said. Under a restricted fire zone, no open-air burning, including campfires, is permitted. "Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking and warmth but must be handled with extreme caution. All burning permits are suspended," Ontario Forest Fires says on its website. The City of Thunder Bay is also issuing its own fire ban, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday. No open-air burning will be permitted, and all burn permits suspended, until the provincial restricted fire zone is lifted, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue said in a media release issued Thursday.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Brush fires keep crews busy in Thunder Bay, Ont., as conditions remain dry
Several brush fires west of Thunder Bay broke out late Wednesday afternoon A cluster of brush fires west of Thunder Bay, Ont., kept crews busy on Wednesday afternoon into the evening. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Platoon Chief Jo Rucchin said in a news release that the department began getting several 911 calls around 3 p.m. ET. People were reporting fires "along the rail line extending from the Thunder Bay Airport area to beyond Twin City Crossroads." "Thunder Bay Fire Rescue immediately deployed multiple pumper crews to respond to the fires, prioritizing the protection of residential properties along the affected corridor," the news release said. "Crews worked swiftly to contain and suppress multiple fire sites stretching from the Airport to Twin City Crossroads." It took five hours to get the fires under control, with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue working with Ministry of Natural Resources crews and the Oliver Paipoonge Fire Department. No homes or buildings were destroyed, according to the news release. Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) said CL415 waterbombers were used to help suppress a fire known as Thunder Bay 9, which was burning south of the airport. 'Fires can get away quickly' One of the brush fires just north of Arthur Street West and 25th Side Road was not far from Sarjeant Propane supply company. "Crews on scene right now are just mopping up," Shane Zimmer, captain with the Oliver Paipoonge Fire Department, told CBC on the site of the fire around 8:30 p.m. ET. "We took a little while to get the whole fire shut down. But it looks like it's pretty much done now." Zimmer said he doesn't know how the fire started, and that it will be investigated. However, he said it's a good reminder to be extremely cautious right now. "Fires can get away quite quickly," he said. All of Oliver Paipoonge township is currently under a fire ban. Road closures and cancellations Late in the afternoon, the Thunder Bay Police Service had advised people to avoid the Oliver Paipoonge municipality as crews responded to a fire between Arthur Street West and Highway 11/17. They were also asking people to avoid Arthur Street West between the 20th Side Road and the Highway 11/17 junction. Thunder City Speedway closed for the evening and rescheduled races for Thursday evening. Meanwhile, several large forest fires remain out of control in northwestern Ontario, with high to extreme conditions in some western parts of the province.
CBC
06-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Hundreds of runners expected for 89th annual Fire Fighters Ten Mile Road Race
Hundreds of runners are expected to hit the streets of Thunder Bay this month for a long-running annual race. The 89th Fire Fighters Ten Mile Road Race is scheduled for May 19, organizers said, with more than 550 individual runners, and more than 30 relay teams, taking part. "Part of its tradition, part of its being able to do the challenge," race director Herbert Daniher said. "There's a connection to Thunder Bay. If you haven't done the 10 mile, you know somebody [who] has done it, or a family member." "So there's a connection. It's all intertwined. It's a fabric that's woven within the community." Registration for this year's race closes on May 11. "We're short some volunteers," Daniher said. "We need people to step up." "We'll train you up, and basically you get a free shirt, and you get invited to the the volunteer party. But more importantly, you get to experience and be part of the race." Firefighter Melissa Geils said she'll be running in this year's 10 miler for the second time. "It was great," she said of her first time running the race in 2024. "The energy was awesome." "I ran way better than I thought I could have, just because of the excitement and the cheering on the sidelines." Geils said the race is an important event for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue. "It's been a long standing tradition for the fire department to be the title sponsor, and I think it's become a big event for us and we're really excited about it," she said. "We have a lot of firefighters who go out and run." "We have an award for the fastest rookie firefighter, so that always gets some competition going amongst us, and everyone gets excited to go out. And it's a great way for us to get out in the community and get the community together for a big event." "It's just something really important to us."
CBC
05-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Being prepared for any emergency
Robert Wark, emergency management coordinator at Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, joined CBC's Mary-Jean Cormier in studio to talk about Emergency Preparedness Week. Here's some of the tips he shared about what people should have at the ready.
