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Red Lake Fire

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Most Fire Evacuees Back In Red Lake

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The mood in Red Lake has certainly changed over the course of a week.

People are in recovery mode now that a dangerous forest fire doesn’t threaten the community.

Mayor Fred Mota says Red Lake Fire 49 remains 100% contained.

“The MNRF is continuing work in the 550 hectare area that burned. The MNRF is looking for hot spots and they continue to identify the hot spots.”

Mota says about 20 crews and helicopters remain in town but has been told they will be demobilizing in the next couple of days.

He is urging caution on Highway 618 to Madsen as there is a heavy fire crew presence but the road is open.

Mota adds most evacuees have returned home.

He was there to greet residents Monday at the Red Lake Airport.

Mota says people were very happy to return home.

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Wisk Air Instrumental In Fire Suppression Efforts

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Wisk Air Helicopters says it’s here to serve communities in Northern Ontario in times of emergency.

The Thunder Bay based company successfully participated in the suppression of Red Lake Fire 49 last week.

The only heavy lift helicopter in the region was able to continuously drop water loads of up to 650 gallons per drop on the fire and the 214 carries were almost double the volume of other helicopters.

It’s estimated the Wisk Air 214B dropped a total of 68,000 gallons of water each of the eight days, which is the equivalent of 300,000 litres a day.

The aircraft was hired by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry specifically because of its large water drop capabilities and was deployed as soon as the fire started.

The helicopter can stay airborne for two hours at a time and was flown for eight-hour flight periods each day fighting the fire.

Wisk Air President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wiskemann says “We acquired the Bell 214 B-1 because of its ability to deliver massive volumes of water and work closely and safely with fire crews already on the ground. As the operator of one of only three 214’s across Canada, we are pleased to offer this capability to the Ontario Ministry Fire branch.”

Wiskemann adds “It is very rewarding to be able to step up as a company when our communities need us most. We’ve worked in the Northwest for decades and we were able to respond to this fire immediately from our Red Lake base with aircrew and support crew alike.”

The Bell 214 B-1 is known as the “Big Lifter” and is the world’s largest, most powerful single engine helicopter.

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Red Lake Recovering From Forest Fire

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Life is slowly getting back to normal for residents of Red Lake.

An evacuation order and travel restrictions were lifted over the weekend as rain helped fire crews get a handle on Red Lake Fire 49.

The blaze sparked August 10 and forced the evacuation of most of the community.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the fire is still listed at 552 hectares but is 100% contained.

Highway 618 has reopened but motorists are urged to use caution.

Crews have established hose lines around the entire fire and have removed sprinklers from structures in the area.

The public is asked to avoid the fire area and smoke will be visible for some time.

Ford Slams Dryden Hotel

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Doug Ford has some harsh words for a Dryden hotel accused of overcharging Red Lake fire evacuees.

The Premier spoke about the fire response Friday afternoon, and says people have been complaining to him that a hotel charged evacuees four times its originally advertised price.

“I gotta call [the hotel] headquarters, and they better refund every single– Because guess what, it’s the taxpayer that’s paying for this when we relocate people,” Ford says, adding he’s sickened by the claims that evacuees had to pay $400 per night.

Premier’s response to Red Lake Fire 49

The Premier says he’s following the situation with the fire and speaking to the Mayor of Red Lake and Minister Greg Rickford.

In the same announcement, Education Minister Stephen Lecce says Ontario schools can delay the start of classes for some grades to avoid overcrowding.

He says schools can stagger the start date for some grades during the first week of classes, and he’ll work with school boards who want to delay some grades for longer while they monitor the first wave of students.

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Friday Morning Red Lake Fire Update

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Despite challenging conditions Thursday, firefighters on both the ground and in the air kept Red Lake Fire 49 from increasing in size.

The fire is currently listed at 552 hectares and is burning about two kilometres away from the Buffalo neighbourhood.

Residents are again urged to stay away from the community as crews try to handle the blaze.

Twenty, four-person FireRanger crews are assigned to the fire.

Other points of notice on the fire:

-Eight helicopters are working to support crews and bucket water onto the fire’s edges.
-Two CL-415 waterbombers are on standby at Red Lake Airport, to be used as the fire situation requires.
-Hwy. 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.
-The ground operation includes nearly 40 km of hose and 70 pumps.
-800 loads or 5 million litres of water have been dropped on the fire by water bombers, particularly in the early stages.
-For up-to-date information on road closures, check 511on.ca