A State Of Emergency Has Been Called For Temagami, Ontario, Here Is Why
An evacuation alert has been sounded.
It’s summer in Canada, which means places can go for weeks without getting any rain driving the chances of a forest fire up.
We’re all used to hearing about forest fires burning in places like Alberta but they can happen anywhere.
READ ALSO: There Are Currently 78 Forest Fires In Ontario And 33 Of Them Are Not Under Control
One Ontario community is actually now under a state of emergency due to a fire that is burning right now in the province.
EVACUATION NEAR TEMAGAMI due to fire. #OPP from #Temagami and #TemiskamingShores ASSISTING MNRF. MNRF mandatory evacuation affecting area. #Hwy11 remains open however fire conditions may cause closures. If travelling consider delaying or using alternate routes. ^cb pic.twitter.com/ZosTce9BM3
— OPP North East (@OPP_NER) July 8, 2018
The community of Temagami in northern Ontario has been placed under a state of emergency by its mayor.
This comes after 20 homes had to be evacuated due to the fire.
Watching the planes do work 💪#forestfire #temagami #wereOK @ONforestfires pic.twitter.com/LbyfFLpVT6
— Alexandra Paul (@alexandrapaul_) July 9, 2018
Dan O'Mara, Temagami’s mayor, says that the community has opened the hockey arena as a place for those affected by the fire to stay.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, OPP and local fire departments have been doing their best to contain the blaze.
#MNR Water Bombers working on an active fire south of #Temagami today. Some areas were evacuated for #PublicSafety. Please stay clear and consider alternate routes through the area. ^sh pic.twitter.com/CJuBz8EvqW
— OPP North East (@OPP_NER) July 9, 2018
The biggest concern with the fire right now is the wind “I guess there is a concern that depending on which was the wind's blowing [it] could add other issues,” said O’Mara.
The fire was started by lighting this weekend and there’s some good news bad news for those battling it, as there is a thunderstorm forecast, but with that come lightning and the possibility more fires will be started.
Source: The Weather Network