Category: Forest Fires

Fire at Minas Basis Pulp and Power in Hantsport, NS

A fire has disrupted production at the Minas Basis Pulp and Power in Hantsport, Nova Scotia.The fire department was called in at 4am. The main blaze was quickly extinguished, but now the fire is burning paper bales in the paper storage area and has… more »

Kenora and Rainy River Districts warned of severe fire risk

The risk for a large forest fire remains in the Kenora and Rainy River districts of northwestern Ontario. Back in May, Aviation and Forest Fire Program Officer Terry Popowich said it was only a matter of time until a "mega" forest fire hits Northweste… more »

Record low fire season in Northwestern Ontario

Northwestern Ontario saw a record low number of forest fires year with only 194 fires. Last year the region saw 218 forest fires - a number still considered as very moderate. Although the number of fires this year was at a record low, the damage done… more »

B.C.'s forest fire situation is so severe international assistance is being considered

100 new forest fires have started in British Columbia in just the last 24 hours. (9 were human starts and 91 were caused by lightning).1000 of B.C.'s own provincial firefighters are fighting the fires in their province, with the help of 800 out-of-p… more »

Prescribed burn planned for Pukaskwa National Park

Parks Canada has planned a prescribed burn for Pukaskwa National Park in Northern Ontario. Due to advances in fire-fighting and fire suppression, the park has experienced far fewer and smaller fires since 1960 than in previous decades. As a result… more »

B.C.'s high to extreme fire hazard may temporarily put loggers out of work

The forest fire hazard rating is high to extreme in many areas of British Columbia right now. Lightning storms are starting hundreds of new small fires stretching the capabilities of the fire fighting crews. 300 fire fighters have left Ontario, where… more »

Gorman's sawmill was saved from the Kelowna fires

Gorman Bros. Mill, a sawmill near Kelowna, British Columbia, narrowly escaped the Glenrosa forest fire this week. Unfortunately the family who owns and operates the sawmill lost two of their family homes and all of their possessions in the fire. Ma… more »

Some evacuated residents will return home today

Forest fires continue to rage near Kelowna, British Columbia, but officials have been able to lift the evacuation order in one area for 1,942 homes (6,000 people), as of this morning. These homes are north of Glenrosa Road in West Kelowna in an area whe… more »

Wildfire in B.C. causes evacuations of 12000 people

There is a big 200 hectare fire burning in the Kelowna area of British Columbia right now that has forced 12,000 people to flee their homes. Since the fires started Saturday afternoon, flames have destroyed at least 9 buildings, including three houses… more »

Lightning starts 20 new fires on Vancouver Island

The forest firefighters of British Columbia continue to be busy. A heavy thunderstorm this week triggered at least 20 new blazes on northern Vancouver Island.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/07/07/bc-090707-storm-front-sparks-fo… more »

B.C. wants to train 750 unemployed people to fight forest fires

The government of British Columbia wants to train 750 unemployed people to help fight their province's wildfires this year. This year has the potential to be a record fire year in B.C. In case the summer continues to be hot and dry, Forests Minister… more »

50 forest firefighters fired

50 members of a forest fire fighting crew were recently fired because of safety violations and alleged illegal drug use. The firefighters had been working at the Tyaughton Lake fire in the mountains of southwestern British Columbia. It is not clear… more »

Alberta calls in fire fighters from as far as Mexico

Alberta firefighters have contained 60 of 77 active wildfires in their province, but fire officials are expecting more blazes in the coming days.Rob Harris, a wildfire information officer with Alberta's Sustainable Resource Development, said 600 fire… more »

Firefighting helicopter catches fire in Manitoba

A helicopter pilot and his passenger - a conservation officer - luckily escaped harm when the helicopter they were flying in caught fire while they were working to douse a small forest fire in Manitoba.The helicopter was one of two that were leased b… more »

More Ontario firefighters head to B.C.

More forest firefighter crews from Ontario have headed to British Columbia to help attack B.C.'s raging wildfires.A total of 114 personnel have headed west this week to join 64 others who are already in B.C.To keep up on British Columbia's forest… more »