Latest news with #Haliburton18
Global News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Chance of rain in Kawartha Lakes as crews fight 3 active wildfires
Environment Canada is forecasting a chance of rain for Kawartha Lakes Wednesday morning as emergency crews continue to fight three active wildfires in the region. As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Environment Canada is forecasting mainly clouding skies with a 40 per cent chance of showers and risk of a thunderstorm. The skies will clear this afternoon, the agency added, and temperatures will reach a high of 28 degrees. Ontario's forest fire info map currently shows three active wildfires blazing in the region, with the forest fire danger ratings listed as low. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Of the three fires, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said Tuesday the largest fire, OFR 1, had consumed approximately 33.5 hectares of forest near Burnt River. Meanwhile, the Haliburton 18 fire burned through 27 hectares of forest, it added. Story continues below advertisement The third fire, the Kirkfield fire, had consumed five hectares and began on Aug. 11. 2:18 Kawartha Lakes forest fires 'not under control' amid dry conditions There were no evacuation orders in place, but residents were being asked to remain alert. 'There is a total fire ban in effect across the city of Kawartha Lakes and we will be policing that,' Mayor Doug Elmslie said Tuesday. 'If you see smoke, report it immediately to Kawartha Lake's fire rescue.' — with files from Prisha Dev
Global News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
3 active wildfires burning in Kawartha Lakes as crews battle dry conditions
Firefighting efforts are ongoing in Kawartha Lakes as crews respond to three active wildfires amid extremely dry conditions across the region. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), the largest fire, OFR 1, continues to burn near the Burnt River area. It has consumed approximately 33.5 hectares of forest. 'It's a 33.5-hectare fire located approximately 200 meters west of Prospect Road and one kilometre north of Eldon Station Road,' said Evan Lazat, fire information officer with Aviation Forest Fire Management Services in a press conference. 'The fire is not under control,' he added. Meanwhile, the Haliburton 18 fire has now burned through 27 hectares of forest. 'Suppression efforts to secure the fire perimeter have been secured,'Lazat said. Story continues below advertisement Fire crews are using shorelines, bodies of waters and man-made perimeters to control the rapid spread. The third fire, the Kirkfield fire, is now five hectares and began on Aug. 11. Kirkland is being fought with three Fire Ranger crews, air attack resources, and five Kawartha Lakes fire stations. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Emergency officials are asking the public to stay away from all active fire zones to allow emergency crews to move safely and efficiently through the area. 2:47 Water bombers, firefighters battle wildfire in Kawartha Lakes Mayor Doug Elmslie emphasized that even approaching the fire zone would not be useful or safe. 'My understanding is even if you go up there, the fire is so deeply embedded in the forest that you wouldn't be able to see anything or get any good photo shots because there's nothing to see,' Elmslie said. Story continues below advertisement 'You can't even see smoke because the overhanging trees are keeping it more towards the ground.' Elmslie added that staying clear of the area is critical. 'Residents and visitors are urged to avoid the two fire areas to allow crews to safely continue their work and move about with ease and as rapidly as possible,' he said. 'There is a total fire ban in effect across the city of Kawartha Lakes and we will be policing that.' Road closures remain in place as crews continue to fight the fires. County Road 49 is closed between County Road 121 and Bury's Green. Prospect Road is also closed between 1304 Prospect Road and 1375 Prospect Road. There are no evacuation orders in place at this time, but residents are being asked to remain alert. Anyone who sees smoke is asked to report it immediately. 'If you see smoke, report it immediately to Kawartha Lake's fire rescue,' Elmslie said. He noted that wind is playing a role in how quickly the fires are spreading as it is a grass fire. With firefighting resources stretched thin and four significant fires already reported in the region over the past week, officials say they will take a zero-tolerance approach to any reports of open burning. Story continues below advertisement Officials are also using the opportunity to remind residents to prepare for emergencies by having a household plan and a 72-hour emergency kit.
