Here's Everything You Need To Know About The 28 Out Of Control Fires Sweeping Across Ontario
Canada has been combating forest fires all summer long and now it's getting serious. Across Canada, there have been over 100 fires this past week and currently, there are 64 in Ontario.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry of the 64 forest fires, there are 28 out of control and 35 being held or being observed.
Okay this is what we saw on the way back from Killarney. Through the forest fire smoke. pic.twitter.com/1TiyHxIfgY
#NER #OPP are asking for the public's assistance to stay away from the Key, Pickerel & French River areas so that MNRF aviation services aren't impeded with ongoing fire suppression efforts. #ThankYou for your cooperation & support during this critical time! #PublicSafety ^cb pic.twitter.com/DptZQN3j4x
There were 50 homes evacuated on Friday night after the flames raged around Key Harbour and Killarney, in the northeastern area of the province. The sky and forests are covered in smoke due to the fire, which quadrupled in size over the course of the day.
A fire in French River, just north of Parry Sound, has also lead to evacuations. The OPP confirmed that multiple people were asked to leave their homes with 12 hours of notice.
Smoke from forest fires near French River yesterday... pic.twitter.com/TbAD7I3tYE
Key River community devastated by fire, evacuation. pic.twitter.com/2jt6jE4091
Currently, multiple planes and helicopters are battling the fires across the province but extra hands have been called in for firefighters on the ground.
Not only have professionals come from all across the country, there have been volunteers from the American states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as Mexico. More help is also expected to arrive on Monday.
Crews from other provinces, U.S., Mexico helping Ontario fight forest fireshttps://t.co/faxEzlnrw3 pic.twitter.com/s3Ck4jJ65V
Forest fires are continuing to rage in northeastern Ontario. Some are worried about their homes and cottages: https://t.co/F23juuqKfY
Because of the summer heat forests have been dry which sadly makes the perfect conditions for these terrible fires to break out. What commonly lights the flame is when lightning strikes the area during a storm.
If the weather calls for wind it can also worsen the storm by carrying the flames further.
#OPP reporting #Hwy17 east of #Mattawa has now reopened. Closed earlier do to visibility issues caused by forest fire smoke in the area. @OPP_ER @OPP_CR please be careful driving and do to forest fire fires across #NER expect that travel may be affected. #PublicSafety ^cb pic.twitter.com/auDpQKkGNn
It's important to stay safe up north during these times because smoke inhalation is very serious. Here's hoping that the extra help from our North American neighbours will help get these fires under control.
Source: Hamilton Spectator, CBC, My Perry Sound Now