Fires in Pickle Lake, Mish under control

The Pickle Lake region received ground and air support from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) May 16 for fires that broke out in the evening hours.
Three separate fires occurred in the Pickle Lake area of the Sioux Lookout district May 16 sizing from about 2 hectares to just over 3 hectares. All three were under control by May 18 after a flare up on the night of May 17, but Debbie MacLean, information officer for the Northwest Region of the MNR, said it was eventually put out.
The cause of the fires in Pickle Lake is under investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police who have teamed up with MNR to monitor the situation. Const. Dianna Dauphinee of the Pickle Lake OPP branch said the investigation into the source of the fire is still in its primary stages.
MacLean said aircrafts involved in the firefight were the heavy water bomber CL-415 and a Helicopter bucket, but MNR was mostly working on the ground.
The MNR also reported two new fires May 17 near Mishkeegogamang, south of Pickle Lake. MacLean said one of those fires was extinguished.
The MNR cautions that leaving burning grass or brush unattended may result in charges or fines.
“Any open fire could become a wild fire,” MacLean said. “It’s going to stay hot and dry, even though there’s rain in the forecast, there’s also lightning.”
Firefighters are concerned that fires, especially in the Pickle Lake area, are very dangerous due to the seasonal weather and natural environment of the region. MNR describes conditions for a wildfire as dry and windy, which matches the weather the region has experienced the past couple of days.
“People think their fires won’t spread but the fires can hurt people and property. If it’s windy, don’t start a fire,” MacLean said.