A forest fire in Madawaska Valley is not under control, according to the province’s interactive fire map.
Firefighters with the Madawaska Valley Fire Department were called to a brush fire off Wilno Road North around 2 p.m. yesterday, Aug. 25. The township asked residents to avoid the area.
An update an hour later confirmed the Ministry of Natural Resources had taken over the scene in a remote area near Cranberry Creek Road. Helicopter activity was anticipated.
Chief fire official with Madawaska Valley, Corwin Quade, said the fire is spanning from two-and-a-half to three hectares in size. Three crews of wildland firefighters are on scene.
“There is no threat to public safety or any public buildings. It’s in a very remote part of the bush,” said Quade.
An update from the township shortly before noon advised that the ministry indicated the fire was no longer spreading and was getting closer to being under control.
A following up at 4 p.m. confirmed the fire was under control and contained. Crews are working to extinguish hot spots and will remain on the ground for the next few days to monitor the situation.
The township confirmed the cause of the fire as a lighting strike.
Inside Ottawa Valley is following this story and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.