Forest Fire Update

Raging forest fires continue to consume the Northwest.
Sioux Lookout #48 is now estimated to be 22,000 hectares and growing.
At least 3 outpost camps have been lost to the flames and some 150 people evacuated for their safety.
A back burn overnight seems to have worked and will allow crews to establish some permiter lines around the fire.
An emergency order is now in effect restricting travel on the Vermilion River road system north of the town as well as Lac Seul and other lakes near the fire.
Dryden #57, near Gulliver Lake, southeast of Ignace is still around 800 hectares, but not showing significant growth.
Encamp/Savoy road and Megikons road are off limits while Gulliver road heading south off Highway 17 east of the compressor station is closed as well.
There are 10 fires in the Red Lake district but the MNR says they are not near any populated areas and aren’t a major concern right now.
Help is on the way from other provinces to battle the fires in the Northwest.
200 firefighters from B.C. are enroute with some deploying out of Dryden.
Alberta has sent crews and equipment as well.
They are expected to be on the lines this afternoon in Sioux Lookout after being briefed.