Woodland Caribou - Recent Forest Fires

[Quew]

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park received a significant number of fire starts, July 15 2018. There are also some additional fires surrounding WCPP.

https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires

Fire locations and sizes are available at the Aviation Forest Fire Emergency Services (AFESS) Forest Fire Page. Fire sizes on the map will be updated throughout the day(s) as the AFFES gathers information and intelligence. This map provides the most up-to-date information as it is gathered from field staff and reflects the last observed fire size. This is the same information WCPP staff trip plan with and how we update our staff in the field.

Currently, the AFFES is under significant fire load and resources are at a premium. Due to this resource shortfall fires response options maybe one of the following.

• full response (suppressed)
• monitored (being observed)
• modified (example - using ignition to limit the growth or limited fire crews, focussing on critical points).

The AFFES will continue to monitor WCPP as they look for new starts, observe the growth of existing fires and implement response options when required such as value protection, ignition or immediate threats to public safety.

The conditions in the Park are dry, allowing for fires to be fast moving; exercising care and caution are of the upmost importance. Also, smoke may continue to be an issue in the coming days/weeks. Currently the next 3-5 days is showing minimal precipitation. In the coming days and/or weeks please advise any users of WCPP some suggested items below to ensure their safety while visiting the park.

Visit the https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires for the most up-to-date information for their trip planning. (including a RFZ if implemented)

• Even if no fire restrictions are in place, a portable cooking stove should be part of your gear.
• Be alert and mindful of wind direction, smoke conditions, water bombers, recent lighting areas, smoke columns.
• Be prepared to forgo the traditional campfire should conditions warrant
• Safety and well-being may depend upon your ability to assess potential breathing or visual problems associated with thick smoke, ash and haze.
• Ensure you have detailed maps showing all your route options should you need to change your course of travel (ensure you have communicated to someone your trip route as well)
• A communication device maybe a consideration to receive updates or advise of changes.

Additionally, it is critical for fire response and fire fighter / aviation safety that aircraft follow Transport Canada NOTAM guidelines as they relate to forest fires. As well, reporting any new fires is important intelligence for the AFFES via 122.9 MHz.

In general, WCPP recognizes fire as an essential ecosystem process, fundamental to maintaining or restoring the ecological sustainability of protected areas in the boreal forest region. Wildfire is recognized as the most influential natural force acting on the forested ecosystems of WCPP. With this objective and in conjunction with the Wildland Fire Management Strategy (2014) WCPP will be implementing the above response options based on dialogue with the AFFES and WCPP Vegetation Management Plan.

Thank you and remember to be aware, be prepared and be fire smart.

Kent Fraser | Acting Park Superintendent Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
(807) 727-1388 or woodland.caribou.mnr@shaw.ca

 

[yellowcanoe]

Thank you for your help. I am glad you are here.

 

[red langford]

Great info Claire. Thanks.

 

[Sweetfancymoses]

Great information and great map. Thanks.

 

[Quew]

IMPORTANT ROUTE CLOSURE NOTICE:

The following lakes are closed for back country permit holders until further notice due to a significant risk from nearby forest fires.

• Larus Lake
• Sabourin Lake
• Barclay Lake
• Musclow Lake
• Marys Lake
• Gammon Lake
• Royd Lake
• Donald Lake
• Hammerhead Lake

This closure will remain in effect until the fire situation diminishes and the threat diminishes.

 

[red langford]

There was significant smoke in town last night, If i can figure out how Ill upload a wild photo.

 

[red langford]

[No message]

 

[Quew]

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders: JULY 20 UPDATE

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.

NO CHANGE TO JULY 19/2018 CLOSURES
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. You may obtain a map for your reference by contacting the park office at woodland.caribou.mnr@ontario.ca

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas

Artery remains open until further notice. A large fire 9000 hectare fire not under control on the Bloodvein River in Manitoba exists

 

[Quew]

Artery remains open until further notice. Please note that a large 9,000 ha fire remains not under control on the Bloodvein River in Manitoba. Please ensure you are aware of this and the potential danger it may pose. Manitoba may possibly close the river to travel is needed - please check with Manitoba Conservation authorities.

 

[Mihun09]

As Claire has pointed out, there is a large fire in Manitoba which overlaps the Gammon River at the bottom and the Bloodvein at the top. It is out of control and presently over 9000 hectares.

 

[Quew]

Thanks Mihun09. I was up in the air yesterday and noted that this Manitoba fire was roaring pretty good and throwing up lots of smoke compared to our numerous fires here on the Ontario side. They did not receive that bit of rain that we did.

 

[Mihun09]

We have thunderstorms in the forecast for tomorrow again and a 30k south wind which won't help much but keeping the smoke out of town. We had smoke here last night and we are in the Interlake area of Manitoba.

Here in Warren we have not seen a significant rainfall since July 1st.

A friend at work who regularly canoes in Nopoming PP has said the water levels are very low for this time of year.

Karin

 

[Quew]

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL CLOSURE

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders:

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.

NEW ****** ARTERY LAKE NOW CLOSED due to potential threat of Manitoba fire along the Bloodvein River. The Bloodvein River is CLOSED in Manitoba.

Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, some canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Parks office at (807) 727-1329.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead Lake
10. Dowswell Lake
11. Rostoul Lake
12. Hansen Lake
13. Wanda Lake
14. Thicketwood Lake
15. Murdock Lake
16. Irvine Lake
17. Simeon Lake
18. Dunstan Lake
19. Lightning Lake
20. Talon Lake
21. Bilko Lake
22. Silvia Lake
23. Landing Crane Lake
24. Blueberry Lake
25. Sydney Lake
26. Rowdy Lake
27. Artery Lake ****NEW

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

 

[Quew]

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders

IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL CLOSURE - July 22, 2018​

WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.

Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, some canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A map showing route closures can be obtained by contacting the Ontario Parks office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1329.

NEW ****** FORD & CRAVEN LAKEs ARE NOW CLOSED due to potential threat of Manitoba fire along Bloodvein. BLOODVEIN River in Manitoba now CLOSED.

The route closure include the following CLOSED lakes to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Artery (CLOSED JULY 21/2018)
28. FORD (CLOSED EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY)
29. CRAVEN (CLOSED EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY)

General summary of fire situation:
Fire behaviour increasing as fuels dry out after the minimal rainfall received on July 19/2018. Cloud cover and higher humidity's kept fire behaviour in check despite the winds. Thunderstorms are forecasted to arrive overnight with minimal rain. Fires are continually assessed and monitored. Value protection in place on structures assumed at risk. Forecast for winds is to be a westerly flow which may cause smoke issues for Red Lake. New fire today - Red 017 @ 0.1 ha

 

[Quew]

July 23, 2018

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders

NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Craven
28. Ford
29. Artery
30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time

 

[Quew]

July 23, 2018

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders

NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Craven
28. Ford
29. Artery
30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time

 

[Quew]

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders

NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Craven
28. Ford
29. Artery
30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time

 

[Quew]

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders

NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES TODAY - July 23, 2018

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Craven
28. Ford
29. Artery
30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time

 

[Quew]

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders​

NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES TODAY - July 23, 2018 ​

​

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.​

Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388. ​

Additionally, the following Lakes have been ​

CLOSED

to backcountry paddlers:​

1. Larus Lake​

2. Sabourin Lake​

3. Barclay Lake​

4. Musclow Lake​

5. Marys Lake​

6. Gammon Lake​

7. Royd Lake​

8. Donald Lake​

9. Hammerhead​

10. Dowsell​

11. Rostoul​

12. Hansen​

13. Wanda​

14. Thicketwood​

15. Murdock​

16. Irvine​

17. Simeon​

18. Dustan​

19. Lightning​

20. Talon​

21. Bilko​

22. Silvia​

23. Landing Crane​

24. Blueberry​

25. Sydney​

26. Rowdy​

27. Craven​

28. Ford​

29. Artery​

30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)​

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.​

​

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk​

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time​

 

[Quew]

July 23, 2018

ATTENTION: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (WCPP) users and stakeholders


NO ADDITIONAL CLOSURES

As previously communicated, WCPP and Ontario is under significant fire load. WCPP is experiencing significant smoke activity, which will create poor air quality and reduced visibility.
Due to the danger posed by numerous wildfires, canoe routes have been CLOSED. Closed routes are subject to change as threat increases or diminishes. A route closure map may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Park office in Red Lake at (807) 727-1388.

Additionally, the following Lakes have been CLOSED to backcountry paddlers:
1. Larus Lake
2. Sabourin Lake
3. Barclay Lake
4. Musclow Lake
5. Marys Lake
6. Gammon Lake
7. Royd Lake
8. Donald Lake
9. Hammerhead
10. Dowsell
11. Rostoul
12. Hansen
13. Wanda
14. Thicketwood
15. Murdock
16. Irvine
17. Simeon
18. Dustan
19. Lightning
20. Talon
21. Bilko
22. Silvia
23. Landing Crane
24. Blueberry
25. Sydney
26. Rowdy
27. Craven
28. Ford
29. Artery
30. Bloodvein (Manitoba)

Ontario Parks will be monitoring these areas.

One Outpost Camp to be evacuated morning of July 24/2018 due to fire risk

If you have an Outpost Camp on one of the lakes listed above, Ontario Parks considers these to be at HIGH RISK and accessing these locations is not recommended. Outposts / camp owners on these lakes are NOT restricted at this time