Category Archives: Forest Fires

Ontario has opened a new innovative training centre for water bomber pilots in Sault Ste. Marie.

The new centre is equipped with one of the most advanced flight training devices available, which simulates the sights, sounds and motions of the CL-415 water bomber aircraft used to fight forest fires in Ontario.

By eliminating the need to send pilots out of the province for training, the centre will provide a long-term, cost-effective solution for managing forest fires. It will also attract pilots from other areas to train and practise, helping to support the local economy.

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The investigation into the massive wildfires in Slave Lake two years ago is over and no charges have been laid.

On May 15, 2011, 40% of Slave Lake, Alberta was destroyed by wildfire.

Investigators believe the fire was likely caused by humans, but the RCMP have exhausted all their leads without being able to get enough evidence to press charges.

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Last evening the residents of Nordegg and Lodgepole, Alberta were each evacuated due to an approaching wildfire.

The fire threatening Nordegg was just 2 kilometres away from the community and high winds were a concern. Overnight the growth of the fire slowed as the winds calmed. The Noregg fire is over 200 hectares in size. Nordegg is 200 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.  Residents have been on a 1 hour evacuation standby alert since Thursday.

Residents were advised to register at the curling rink in Rocky Mountain House (90 km east of Nordegg).

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Last night strong, gusty winds contributed to aggressive fire activity on the Spatsum Creek wildfire in British Columbia.

The fire is now estimated at 850 hectares in size.

Today, approximately 80 fire fighters, five helicopters, heavy equipment and airtankers will action the fire.

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There is a wildfire burning on crown land west of Nordegg, Alberta near Fish Lake.  Nordegg is about 170 km west of Red Deer.

The hamlet of Nordegg is under a one hour evacuation alert.  This means that residents on the North and South side of Nordegg are required to ready themselves to evacuate within one hour – if given notice.

The Forestry Trunk Road will be closed from Highway 11 to the North Fork Road.

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The increasing fire danger rating in Quebec has led to an open fire ban across the entire province.

A dozen forest fires are burning across the province currently.  167 fires have burned in the province this year so far.

No major fires have been reported. The largest fire, in Pontiac in the Gatineau region, covers about 10 hectares.

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Prince Edward Island

In PEI, fire officials are battling a major forest fire on the Friston Road near Pleasant Grove and Covehead area.

The fire started this afternoon and quickly spread. Strong southwesterly winds have turned the fire into a crown fire.

By 6pm local time, the fire was 10 acres in size. The area is heavily wooded and difficult for firemen to attack.

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Forest fires near Petitcodiac and Kedgwick in New Brunswick are burning out of control.

2 homes have been destroyed already and more are at risk.  Evacuations are being conducted are in place to get people to a safer place.

Water bombers and helicopters are fighting the fires.

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British Columbia is planning on conducting prescribed burns in the following areas:

• Bald Range area – 150 ha, north of the Princeton-Summerland Road, approximately 11 km west of Summerland
• Satellite Hill – 36 ha, approx. 6 km south of Lumby and Highway 6 in the Harris Creek area
• Woodward Creek – 16 ha, approx. 20 km west of Lumby, north of Highway 6
• South Fork – 32 ha, approx. 12.5 km east of Cherryville, north of Highway 6

The burns will be conducted some time between March 28 and May 15, depending on weather conditions.

These burns will assist with ecosystem restoration and will occur in several phases during this period.

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This video from the U.S. National Interagency Fire Center dates back to 1942 and discusses the common errors found when fighting forest fires.

Although over 70 years old, many of the common errors hold true today.

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