Wildfire near Mattagami being held, residents return Monday

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Mattagami First Nation evacuees return as wildfire being held

Mattagami Frist Nation evacuees may return home Monday

Rain helps crews hold off wildfire threatening Mattagami First Nation

Displaced residents from northern wildfires find refuge in Barrie

Hot, windy conditions expected to test fire crews

Mattagami First Nation evacuated as massive wildfire grows

A wildfire that forced the evacuation of more than 160 people from Mattagami First Nation is now classified as being held, fire officials said Sunday.

The Timmins 9 fire remains about seven kilometres west of the community and 1.5 kilometres west of Highway 144. It has been remapped to 3,151 hectares, down from a peak of nearly 3,400 hectares.

MNR crews to remain on site through next week

The First Nation’s fire chief, Curtis Fowler, said in an update June 14 that the fire’s new being-held status marks a significant step forward in stabilization. The chief said Ministry of Natural Resources crews will remain active in the community through next week, while Mattagami First Nation crews will begin transitioning back to regular duties.

Officials said ministry crews will continue working at the firehall area and asked the public to avoid the area to ensure work continues without interruption.

Evacuees in Barrie since June 3

Road access to the community remains closed until Monday morning. The community will open for members and residents to return starting after 10 a.m. on June 15, with public access resuming after 6 p.m.

Evacuees have been staying in Barrie, about 500 kilometres south, since a mandatory evacuation order was issued June 3. A voluntary evacuation began June 2, but rapid growth of the fire prompted the mandatory order the following day.

Mattagami’s Chief Jennifer Constant previously confirmed to CTV News that about 160 people were evacuated by bus, with others leaving in their own vehicles. Constant previously said all structures in the community remain standing, as the local fire department and MNR set up a perimeter around the community and attached water hoses to homes.

The fire was first reported May 31. Ontario Forest Fires said the fire held steady at 3,154 hectares on the evening of June 9 but remained out of control at that time.

Weather conditions on Sunday included a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of scattered showers with conditions expected to clear overnight. Winds are westerly shifting to northwest at 15 to 20 km/h with gusts up to 40 km/h. Monday’s forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of afternoon rain.

After Sunday, the fire department said it will shift from public updates to internal community updates as operations wind down.