Gogama out of danger as fire crews battle Timmins 9 forest fire

Timmins 9 wildfire is still more than 3,100 hectares and still threatens Mattagami First Nation. Evacuees unlikely to be able to return this week.

Officials battling the massive Timmins 9 forest fire are building a helipad to help their efforts, as a change in wind direction means that Gogama is out of danger for now.

Ministry of Natural Resources fire information officer Evan Lizzotte said the helipad will support suppression efforts.

“Two medium helicopters continue to bucket over the priority areas of the fire, supporting crews on the ground,” Lizzotte said.

“Heavy equipment is working along the eastern flank of the fire perimeter, closest to Highway 144. More heavy equipment is being deployed today to help support the fire operations.”

The fire is 10 kilometres north of the Town of Gogama, but the fire chief said Timmins 9 was no longer threatening the community because the wind had shifted.

“Gogama is out of danger,” Bernie Souliere said Monday.

“It’s looking good for the community now.”

Timmins 9 is seven kilometres west of Mattagami First Nation, which was evacuated last week.

Mattagami FN fire chief Curtis Fowler said he didn’t think the evacuees would be home this week.

“The only ones left behind are essentials like the firefighters,” Fowler said.

“We’re keeping busy. We’re all in good spirits and we’re bracing, getting prepped in case it does cross and threaten our community.”

Fire suppression equipment has been installed throughout the community.

“We’re currently marking values and setting up sprinklers on those values in the area, as well as the cottages without our proximity,” he said.

Rain over the weekend helped keep the fire from growing, but Monday was hot, dry and windy.

“With some precipitation coming in the next couple days -- from Tuesday to Wednesday -- that will definitely help with our crews and help diminish the hazard, which will definitely help us get some headway,” Lizzotte said.

The MNR said there have already been 152 wildfires this season in Ontario, compared to 170 all of last year.

In its Monday evening update, Ontario Forest Fires reported two new wildland fires in the Northeast Region.

Chapleau 5 is 0.1-hectare fire located on the west side of Highway 17, approximately 0.4 of a kilometre south of Old Highway 17 Road. The fire is under control.

Timmins 13 is three hectares and located approximately 0.65 of a kilometre west of Trotter Lake, and 1.75 kilometres south of Ahsine Lake. The fire is not under control.

In total, there are seven active wildland fires in the Northeast Region. Two are not under control, one is being held, and four are under control.

To access the current forest fire danger rating in your area and an accessible version of this map, visit our interactive fire map.