WHITE RIVER — Forest firefighting crews are holding the line against the two fires burning near White River.
Currently, the fire at the Kakakiwibik Esker Conservation Reserve north of Highway 17 is holding at a size of nearly 4,800 hectares, while the fire south of Crocker’s Lake and about five kilometres west of White River is 105 hectares.
Highway 631 between White River and Hornepayne has reopened until such time conditions become unfavorable.
Fire information officer Amy Peltonen said the Ministry of Natural Resource's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch has 13 type-one crews on the ground and seven dedicated helicopters suppressing the fire from above.
Peltonen said an incident management team is being set up, but she could not confirm where the command center will be located at this time. Once the command center is in place, MNRF will be able to safely divert resources between the two fires.
Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha told CFNO Radio that he has been receiving regular updates from the ministry and has been in contact with White River Mayor Tara Anderson Hart to make sure her community concerns at being addressed.
“There are a lot of questions people have in the community. We have to make sure that the resources are there for the community, making sure as many firefighters are actually on the ground, and the fighter bombers are out there regularly,” Mantha said.
Mantha added that safety is of utmost importance.
With files from Al Cresswell, CFNO Radio
