Wildland fire season underway in Ontario

Since wildfire season started April 1, 46 forest fires have been confirmed in Ontario and dry conditions are creating a hazard.

Most of Ontario is under some degree of forest fire danger rating.

The ratings are highest in northwestern Ontario, as well as near Chapleau and Sudbury.

Officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources Aviation, Forest and Emergency Services said the wildland fire season officially started April 1 but heated up this month.

So far, they can confirm 46 wildland fires in Ontario this season.

“If we look at last year, at the same time, we had seen 43 fires,” said Isabelle Chenard, a spokesperson for the Aviation, Forest and Emergency Services.

“So, about the same, and the 10-year average shows a lot higher than this year, at 60 wildland fires having affected nearly 8,020 hectares. So, we are lower than the 10-year average, so far, but we’re pretty much on par from last year.”

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Chenard said the greatest fire hazard in the springtime is the vegetation left over from the previous year.

Dry leaves and branches create a higher fire hazard when exposed to solar radiation, especially on warm and windy days.

Chenard said that’s why more fires are burning in the north, whereas in the south, where green grass and leaves are growing.

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“The largest fire in the province currently is Kenora 14,” she said.

“It’s also the largest we’ve had this year so far. That one is 1,300 hectares and there are 11 crews currently working on it and seven helicopters.”

The fire was first discovered 12 kilometres north of the community of Wabaseemong and about 70 km northwest of Kenora.

“We have seen aerial fire suppression in the initial days of the fire, but they haven’t been required over the weekend,” Chenard added.

The best way to keep up to date on where fires are burning is through the Ontario Interactive Forest Fire Info Map.

With campfire season also underway, the province asks that campfires be started no sooner than two hours before sunset and no later than two hours after sunrise.