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Firefighters are still battling a significant forest fire in the Burnt River area, where 27 hectares remain actively burning.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reports that seven ground crews are working in the area, supported by air attack resources that were deployed Sunday and remain on standby should conditions demand. Officials say crews are making steady progress, but persistent hot and dry weather — combined with the possibility of gusty winds — could reignite flare-ups or push the fire into new areas. The rugged terrain, littered with debris from past ice storms, has made hose line deployment especially challenging.
Elsewhere, officials in Marmora and Lake report that the HAL018 wildfire in the north of the municipality remains at 12.8 hectares and is now considered tentatively contained. Three crews remain on the ground along with air support, and the mayor and council have extended their thanks to fire services from Limerick and Wollaston Townships for assisting local emergency personnel.
For safety reasons, the public is urged to avoid the Burnt River area to allow emergency vehicles and personnel full access. A road closure remains in effect on County Road 49 between County Road 121 and Bury’s Green until further notice.
While no evacuations are currently required, the City of Kawartha Lakes has issued a total fire ban across the municipality, citing three significant fires in the past week and extreme dryness that is straining firefighting resources. Fire bans are also in place in Northumberland and most of central Ontario. Residents are reminded to report any sight of smoke immediately to local fire authorities, and to keep drones away from active fire areas, as flying them is both illegal and dangerous to crews working on the ground and in the air.
For the latest info on forest fires in Ontario, check out the Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Fire Info Map.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)
