An ongoing wildfire designated Haliburton 051 has been burning out of control in Tudor and Cashel Township right on the border of Hastings County and Lennox and Addington County since Oct. 15 at 5:45 p.m., according to the Ontario Forest Fire Info Map at www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM. As of Oct. 18, at 1:35 p.m., it was still not under control. Alison Lake, Fire Information Officer, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services with the MNRF comments to The Bancroft Times on this ongoing conflagration and how efforts are proceeding to extinguish it.
Lake told The Bancroft Times that the wildfire designated HAL051 is 10.8 hectares and is located approximately two kilometres northeast of Dafoe Lake.
“The fire is not under control. Currently there are two crews of Ontario Fire Rangers actioning this fire with the support of aerial suppression from a helicopter equipped with a belly tank,” she says.
Lake says that the crews are making good progress as they work to establish a hose line and pump perimeter on the fire.
“They are actively suppressing the fire as they work to complete the hose line,” she says.
Lake stresses that every fire is investigated to establish a cause, but the results of that investigation are not yet available. She says that the local municipal fire department has been made aware of the situation.
Lake told The Bancroft Times that the public can help by being aware and being informed.
“For updates on all active wildland fires in Ontario, you can visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates. Here you will find more information on the current fire situation, fire safety tips, and access to our interactive fire map where you can see the current fire hazard, active fires and fire perimeters. You can also Follow us @ONForestFires on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date on the current fire situation.
To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, please dial 911. To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, please dial 310-FIRE. Be ready to give the location of the fire, approximate size of the fire and the colour of the smoke column,” she says.
Lake also stresses that people need to follow Ontario’s outdoor burning regulations.
“Another way that cottagers and homeowners can reduce their risk of wildland fires is by not burning their yard waste and woody debris. We encourage Ontarians to use methods such as composting or using their local landfill to dispose of yard waste. If burning is the only option, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning. Fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and are to be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise. Always have tools/water adequate to contain the fire at the site,” she says. “Know the rules for safe outdoor burning; consult the full set of at www.ontario.ca/page/outdoor-fire-rules-and-permits.”
Limerick Township provides fire services to Tudor and Cashel, and their Fire Chief Greg Maxwell, told The Bancroft Times on Oct. 20 that he is aware of HAL051.
“[The] MNRF have been in contact with myself, as of right now Limerick Fire is not needed, we chat every day. MNRF have three crews on this fire, a dedicated helicopter providing support and they have had water bombers there also on the first day,” he says.
Tudor and Cashel Township issued the following message on their Facebook page on the fire on Oct. 19, say that staff had been getting regular updates regarding the fire burning near Dafoe Lake.
“At this time Ministry fire crews are on site and working on the fire. Ministry personnel are not relaying any current concerns to the public safety at this time. If this changes we will ensure the public is made aware,” they say. “People are encouraged to utilize the Ontario interactive fire map [www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM.] for current information on the fire labeled as HAL051.”
Tudor and Cashel CAO Nancy Carrol told The Bancroft Times on Oct. 20 that the township has an existing wildland fire agreement with the MNRF and the fire is currently located in an area under their jurisdiction.
“In situations like this, the township's fire services are available to assist the Ministry with initial or additional support if needed. However, at this time, Ministry crews are on-site and actively working to suppress the fire. I was first made aware of the fire on Thursday afternoon and will remain in close communication with the Ministry to monitor the situation until the fire is fully contained,” she says. “The Ministry's fire crews are highly trained and experienced in managing incidents of this nature, and I am confident they will suppress the fire as quickly and safely as possible.”