This is no joke but forest fire season is in full swing in northwestern Ontario.
To no one’s surprise there have been no reported fires since the start on April 1.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Information Officer Chris Marchand says that doesn’t mean crews aren’t on alert.
“This is the time when we take the opportunity to get our crew resources in order and complete a lot of the training and preparing equjipment we need for when the fire season picks up,” says Marchand.
Marchand points out that spring conditions can change very quickly.
He adds ice cover on area lakes can pose a challenge in fighting fires as they can’t use air tankers.
As a result, Marchand is urging everyone to remain diligent and be careful with every outdoor fire.
Last year, 839 or the 1,325 forest fires in Ontario were in the northwest region.
The 10-year average for fires across the province at 756.
