There is a wildfire burning in the north end of the Municipality of Marmora and Lake that could potentially affect surrounding municipalities like Wollaston, Tudor and Cashel and Limerick if it’s not brought under control. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has responded and additional crews were set to join them on Aug. 10. According to information on the Ontario Forest Fire Info Map [www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/ForestFireInformationMap/index.html?viewer=FFIM.FFIM], the fire, designated HAL108: New, is 11 hectares in size, is in Haliburton district, is not yet under control and was started on Aug. 9 at 11:42 a.m. Due to the hot, dry conditions, Marmora and Lake have had a total fire ban in place since Aug. 7, and there has been a total fire ban implemented in all of North Hastings since Aug. 6.
Surrounding municipalities Limerick, Wollaston and Tudor and Cashel had notices on this wildfire on their township websites over the weekend, cautioning people that if they see water bombers in the area, to move off the lake they’re on within their respective municipality and out of their way so the water bombers can collect water to fight this wildfire in the northern part of Marmora and Lake, which has the potential to spread into their townships if it’s not brought under control. They also cautioned people not to use drones in the area of a wildfire as they could potentially force emergency response teams to ground water bombers, putting lives at risk. As per Ministry guidelines, drones must be kept 9 kilometres away from a forest fire.
Eva Lizotte is a fire information officer with the MNRF and provided the following statement to The Bancroft Times on Aug. 10;
“Haliburton 18 (HAL018) is 11 hectares in size and is located approximately half a kilometre southeast of Copeway Lake, and 1.7 kilometres north of Bluff Lake. The fire is not under control. There are multiple crews currently assigned to this fire, with suppression tactics being assigned and additional resources mobilized as needed. Air attack operations were conducted yesterday afternoon and will continue where these efforts are most effective. The fire is located approximately 28 kilometres north of Marmora,” he says.
John Connolly is the CAO/Deputy Clerk with Marmora and Lake and told The Bancroft Times on Aug. 10 that they are getting periodic updates from the MNRF as the situation unfolds.
“It is my understanding that this is a wildland fire that is on crown land near Burnt Lake and as of the last update earlier this morning it was 11 hectares in size and that they were assessing whether to bring in air support today. I expect another update from MNRF to my chief and deputy chief who will in turn then update myself and the mayor. I will provide that information as we know it. I have been in constant contact and discussion with my chief and the mayor already on this and especially first thing this morning. You will see that we have provided some updates on our firefighters’ social media [www.Facebook.com, under “Marmora and Lake Fire and Emergency Services”]. Limerick Township provides fire fighting for Marmora and Lake in the north of the municipality under a mutual aid agreement and they have also been posting updates,” he says.
Connolly provided an update several hours later on Aug. 10 confirming that the fire was moving in a northeast direction from their most recent update from the MNRF.
“Apparently, they have two crews on the ground and are adding another two crews later today – already likely on the ground now. The MNRF has advised us that they will keep us updated as events progress. We have updated the Marmora & Lake Fire and Emergency Services social media and we will also be updating the municipal website and social media channels shortly. I have also been in contact with the CAO for Hastings County, Connor Dorey, who has also indicated his support should we need it,” he says.
By 7 p.m. on Aug. 10 the following update was provided on the Marmora and Lake Fire and Emergency Services Facebook page;
"Marmora and Lake staff remain in regular contact with MNRF officials, who continue to provide updates on the HAL018 wildfire. As of the time of this post, the MNR has confirmed that there are three MNRF crews fighting the fire on the ground who are also being supported through the use of their water bombers to help manage the fire. While we the municipality has offered assistance and support, we have been advised that is not necessary at this point in time, as the fire does not appear to have grown in size.
It remains vital that the public allow professional fire and emergency services personnel to do their jobs. Please keep in mind our previous update to give aircraft room to operate safely and not operate drones in any area, that may present a hazard to aircraft and aircraft safety. We need to keep them safe so that they can keep us safe! We will continue to monitor the situation and share updates as we receive them. The Municipality of Marmora and Lake extends its gratitude for the incredible job that the MNR crews are doing to protect our community."