Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Information Officer Heather Pridham spoke on Kirkland Lake‘s CJKL radio station moments ago to provide an update on the fire (KL-8) that is 3km from town.

The fire is roughly 10km long, and narrow.  The fire has not moved or gained in size, and is laying dormant at 2757 ha.

Kirkland Lake residents are still urged to keep an evacuation kit ready, including 3 days of clothes and supplies (food & water).

About 300 people in the fire area are still evacuated.  Sprinklers are being used to protect cottages and structures near the fire.

An emergency order is still in place to keep people out of the fire area.

Yesterday

Yesterday there were no open flames in the fire area.  75-100 ground crew members searched the fire for hotspots. When they were found, one of 5 helicopters were called in to attack the fire with buckets from the air.  No waterbomber runs were required yesterday.

Crews also worked yesterday with heavy equipment to break apart slash piles inside the fire zone. This caused significant smoke as helicopters help extinguish the slash piles.

Today

Infrared scanning was performed from the air this morning to identify the hot spots to be attacked by ground crews today.

It is windy today, with gusts.  The relative humidity is low.  These conditions have the potential to stir up the fire today.  Pridham said they have crews on ground, and aircraft in the air to monitor the fire today.

Northeastern Ontario

Northeastern Ontario’s forest fire hazard is classified as extreme.  A restricted fire zone is in place.

Source: CJKL