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Red Lake Fire 49 Friday Update

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A Rainfall Warning for Red Lake and all of northwestern Ontario may help crews battling Red Lake Fire 49.

Environment Canada says 50-75 millimetres of rain may fall Friday afternoon and evening.

An evacuation order remains in place despite the fact excellent progress is being made on the 552 hectare blaze.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Information Officer Chris Marchand says concerns still remain.

“Potential for new lightning caused fires and hat will really depend on how patchy the evening’s rainfall was across the region. We’ll certainly be watching very closely for the effects of that lightning and responding quickly to any new fires that result once things start to dry out a bit.

Marchand says rain will help fire crews prevent the fire from spreading towards Red Lake and Highway 105.

“Up to 20 fire ranger crews continue to consolidate their hose lines on all sides of the fire. Heavy equipment continue to build fire lines on the south side of the fire and they were lucky enough to get some cloud cover in the afternoon (Thursday) which helped to reduce the fires activity.”

The MNRF has issued an Implementation Order in the area.

Non-essential personnel are now restricted from travel, use and access to the following areas; Starett-Olsen, Madsen, Red Lake, Balmertown, Cochenour, McKenzie Island, Highway 105 and Bug River, Highway 618 from the junction of Highway 105 as well as Highway 125 and all municipal roads and access roads off of Highway 125.

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Food Hampers Being Organized In Dryden For Fire Evacuees

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The Kenora District Services Board is now accepting food hamper applications for Red Lake fire evacuees.

Staff are at the Dryden Memorial Arena to provide information and assistance to displaced residents.

If needed, registered evacuees can come to the arena to fill out a food hamper application by 11:00am Friday, August 14.

If you can’t attend, you can call 1-800-461-5766.

Food hampers will be organized today, and available for pick-up at 4:30pm for those who have applied at the rear entrance of Arena #1.

The KDSB is working in partnership with the City of Dryden, Municipality of Red Lake, Lions Club, Rotary, Freemasons, Dryden Native Friendship Centre, and the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre.

KDSB still be on-site at the arena through the weekend from 9:00am-4:00pm for those who need help.

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MNRF Keeping Close Eye On Mother Nature

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Firefighters and Red Lake residents are hoping mother nature cooperates as efforts continue to tame Red Lake Fire 49.

Environment Canada has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch with the possible threat of winds exceeding 100 kilometres an hour.

Information Officer Chris Marchand says “The weather preceding the storm. You see a rise in wind speeds and gusts and that’s going to present a challenge for firefighters today in advance of this rain. It’s our hope that we get a significant amount of precipitation out of it.”

Crews have made progress and the fire is now mapped at 552 hectares in size.

Marchand is asking displaced residents to help support them and stay away from the community.

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Fire/Evacuation Message From Red Lake Mayor

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The Mayor of Red Lake has delivered a message as the community responds to Red Lake Fire 49.

At 10:30 Thursday morning, the blaze was listed at 552 hectares in size.

Here is the statement from Mayor Fred Mota:

We continue to have challenges with the forest fire that is threatening our community. Although, we have had two (2) relatively successful days in limiting the spread of the fire, however, the fire remains approximately 2 km’s south-west of Red Lake. In particular the Buffalo area and the Madsen area remains without power. I assure you that Municipality, the OPP, and MNRF are using every resource available to protect our community.

MNRF in particular are doing a tremendous job! Their high level of professionalism and commitment to this fire provides us a level of comfort that Red Lake will be protected but in saying this, I want to reiterate, we have a ways to go and things need to go our way. It remains unsafe to be in the community. I encourage those still in the community to leave…..and those out of the community to remain out until notified by the Municipality that it is safe to return.

I appreciate everything our residents are doing and thank you for your patience as we endure these very difficult and challenging times. As Red Laker’s, we are resilient and together we will get through this!

Mayor Fred Mota

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Red Lake Fire/Evacuation Response “Awesome”

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The Red Lake forest fire happened extremely quickly and residents had little time to react.

That’s the feeling of resident Terri Hamilton who was one of thousands who fled the community late Monday.

Hamilton saw the fire grow while working at the Evolution mine site.

“The winds that day were so crazy. I never thought it would happen because I thought it would be safer, where we seen the fire going, I thought it would be safer if we were there. I guess with that wind and things changing they felt it safer if we left.”

Hamilton notes “About 9:15 that they wanted everybody to evacuate that night. Got everything together, packed up what we could, and I was able to do it within, just before 10:00, so I thought that was pretty good, you know a half hour to get everybody all packed.”

Hamilton says she was able to get her three cats and one dog as well as family to safety.

In terms of the response to the emergency by municipal officials in Red Lake.

“Very well organized. There was no panic. Everybody was patient waiting in line because it took almost two, two-and-a-half hours just to get to Ear Falls, which normally is about a 30-45 minute drive.”

Hamilton adds “It was well organized. Everybody did their job. The Ear Falls Fire Department, they were taking names and keeping things going in Ear Falls. And then all of the volunteers in the Red Lake area. It was awesome!”

Hamilton say it almost seemed like everyone had practice but didn’t.

She is thanking all volunteers, community members and CKDR for their work during the emergency.

“There’s some people that are staying behind that are offering support, like checking on pets, because there were some people that didn’t take their pet. So there going around feeding them, checking on them, which is very appreciated. Just keeping us up to date.”

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Thursday Morning Red Lake Fire Update

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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is making excellent progress on Red Lake Fire 49.

Information Officer Chris Marchand says some 24 crews managed to knock the blaze near Madsen down from 750 to 552 hectares in size Wednesday.

Crews have had the opportunity to establish hoselines around the fire while water bombers continue to be on alert for air support.

Other highlights:

-Nearly 40 kilometres of hose and 70 pumps are being used on this fire
-800 loads or 5 million litres of water have been dropped on the fire by water bombers
-Highway 105, hydro and communication lines East of the fire have not been impacted
-The hydro line from Red Lake to Madsen was damaged by fire
-Southeast and south winds will put pressure on the northern flank of the fire again Thursday
-Smoke may be prevalent in the community of Red Lake Thursday
-8 helicopters are being used to support crews and heavy equipment while they establish hose lines and cat guards. Helicopters are bucketing on the fire’s edge

Strategic Plan for Thursday
-Continue to establish and consolidate hose line on the all flanks of the fire
-Heavy Equipment to continue guard from Wales Lake to Faulkenham Lake on the south flank
-Structural protection to monitor and test set-ups

Weather forecast
-Rain and storms are expected on Thursday, towards evening. Winds will be southerly at 15-20km/hr with RH’s above 60% with winds gusting up to 40km/hr. Rain and storms may continue into Friday.

 

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Fort Hope Forest Fire Continues To Burn

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Fort Hope First Nation remains on high alert due to an out of control forest fire 38 kilometres southwest of the remote northern community.

The blaze is now mapped at 3,603 hectares in size.

Smoke is causing air quality concerns and band officials have decided to evacuate vulnerable members of the First Nation and are considering further options.

Seven crews are currently committed to Nipigon Fire 45.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been assigned to the fire.

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City Manager/Local MPP Proud Of Dryden Response

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Dryden City Manager Roger Nesbitt says he’s extremely proud of the community and his staff for their response to host Red Lake fire evacuees.

The municipality is one of many across the region welcoming displaced residents with open arms.

Nesbitt says as of early Wednesday 400 people from Red Lake had signed-in.

Nesbitt stresses many businesses, organizations and private citizens have offered and made donations.”

He says the entire community has been absolutely fantastic and stepped up to provide items evacuees and the municipality require.

Nesbitt adds the City is working closely with the Canadian Red Cross to secure equipment that’s required at the shelter.

There are 100 cots currently available at the Memorial Arena.

He says ‘We’re very, very concerned for Red Lake residents and their safety. So being able to jump right in and provide the evacuation registration and temporary shelter that we’ve been able to do in Dryden, that’s a very positive thing.”

Nesbitt states they will continue to be here for Red Lake and its residents.

Kenora-Rainy River MPP and Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford toured the evacuation centre on Wednesday and met with volunteers and those impacted by the forest fire evacuation.

Rickford also delivered Personal Protection Equipment and received an update from first responders.

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Forest Fire Inching Closer To Red Lake

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The Mayor of Red Lake stresses this is going to be a very difficult day for the community.

Fred Mota says Red Lake Fire 49 is now burning 2.5-kilometres away from the community and they are experiencing heavy smoke.

“The winds have changed from the west to the southeast which means the fire has turned direction and is burning towards the community. In more particular areas, the geographic’s of Red Lake, it’s burning towards Madsen and the far end of Red Lake which is known as Buffalo.”

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been able to protect hydro lines.

Mota is strongly urging residents to follow an evacuation order.

“We have a plane on standby in Red Lake that’s able to transport 115 residents per trip. Our municipal staff is working very, very hard and are out their door knocking right now to check on people, especially vulnerable people, to see if they are changing their mind in leaving the community.”

Mota can’t say how many residents remain in the Red Lake area but notes several have decided to stay at home.

Northbound traffic on Highway 105 is not being allowed but motorists can still leave the community.

“I’m very thankful for all of our municipal staff, the MNRF, all our community organizations including the OPP. It’s going to be a difficult day for Red Lake but we have faith in our MNRF crews and their doing a fantastic job.”

At 10:10 Red Lake Fire #49 was mapped at 750 hectares in size.

To hear more from Fred Mota, visit the Audio link below.

(Photo Credit: Mandy Lee Facebook)

 

https://www.facebook.com/chantal.d.fitzpatrick/videos/10164120847645456/

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Fire Could Cause Fort Hope Evacuation

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Fort Hope First Nation is declaring a State of Emergency because of a forest fire burning out of control west of the community.

While there is no immediate threat of fire, officials are concerned about smoke drifting into the area.

The community has announced they will start sending their most vulnerable people to safety, including elders, children, and people with certain medical conditions. A full evacuation is being considered.

It’s not yet known where the displaced residents will be housed.

Nipigon Fire 045 started Sunday afternoon and is listed at over 36 hundred hectares and not under control. Fire crews and water bombers are working the fire.

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