Community evacuated

A raging forest fire just nine kilometres east of the Mishkeegogomang community, south of Pickle Lake, is still listed as not under control and has forced the evacuation of approximately 400 people.

Over half of the evacuees were moved to Sioux Lookout, with others taking up temporary residence in Ignace, Greenstone, Pickle Lake and Thunder Bay.

The 65,717 hectare fire started off as a lightning strike on June 7 and grew rapidly in the following few days. A total of 278 fire personnel are currently working out of the Pickle Lake attack base, attempting to get the fire under control.

Uncharacteristic east winds have been keeping the fire east of the community and it has not moved any closer in a number of days.

Due to the smoky conditions last week, the Chief of Mishkeegogomang declared an emergency and requested a partial evacuation, which included people with respiratory problems, young children and the elderly. A day later, it was determined that the entire community would be evacuated due to the smoke.

Dave Jackson of the Sioux Lookout Fire Centre says while Dryden and Sioux Lookout have been experiencing rain, little to no precipitation has fallen near the fire.

“The last precipitation in this particular area was on June 8 and it came in the form of snow so there has been no rain at all. The 14 mm of rain we did receive on [June 26] gave us a short reprieve so we were able to put our crews out on the fire line.”

Jackson adds that fire crews have been unable to properly combat the fire due to the incredibly unsafe conditions and the erratic behaviour of the fire itself.

“To really make a significant difference for us, we need several days of all day rain in substantial numbers. It’s going to be awhile before we have this one wrapped up.”

Travel restrictions are also in place in the area, with checkpoints set up at either end of the Mishkeegogomang community. People are allowed to go through the fire zone with escorts of either OPP, Conservations Officers or NAPS but no one is allowed off the highway.

Jackson adds that Dryden and Sioux Lookout will probably begin to experience smoke drift over the long term again.

So far, there have been no losses in the community of Mishkeegogomang thanks to the Value Protection teams and there have been no injuries to any staff battling the blaze.

By Sarah Madussi