WE ARE BURNING UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! FIRES!!!!!!!!!

[tjsa]

Restricted fire zone for most of Northwestern Ontario in place today, even in the city, check the links below.

 

http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=95668

 

This one is just 20 min. east of us.

http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=95667

 

http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=95629

 

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=42575

 

MNR fire site.

http://affm.mnr.gov.on.ca/

 

Minnesota DNR fire info

 

http://www.tbsource.com/Localnews/index.asp?cid=95571

 

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/index.html

[Gerritt]

Dang Tom.... that sucks! seems a little early for fires I certainly hope this is not a sign of things to come this summer. Make sure you and your family stay safe.

 

Here to hoping for the best!

 

Gerritt.

[motv8tr]

that ain't good....hope we get some rain soon, as much as I'm loving this weather.

 

Maureen

[tjsa]

Gerritt, we had 5 fires in FEBRUARY?????????? Most went out by themselves, but one had to be dealt with. It was mostly from anglers starting shore fires ice fishing, on hillsides that were south facing, no snow to speak of, not properly put out. I was fishing a lake in january, and the south facing hillsides were barren of snow, posted pics of it back then.

We have a very low water table right now, and low water on the lakes, and little precipitation recently.

 

I fear if we do not get any significant, or even moderate, rainfall, its gonna be disastrous up here for fires. Probably travel restrictions even, just to make sure more fires do not start up from human activities.

[Greencoachdog]

What I want to know is why would anyone in thier right mind would want to go to the "Bugtussel" of the Great White North???

[Gerritt]

My personal belief is that during fire season human activity should be restricted when you know the risk of a blaze is extreme... That said I do realize that alot of fires are caused by natural forces.... but you guys up there are in crisis mode.. and unless something is done.. there will be very little tourist $$ coming your way.... The problem is people are thinking about the NOW rather then the LATER... The Lodge owners might not like it... but if one needless fire could be averted due to human activity??... is it worth it?

 

Gerritt.

[fishindevil]

Well thats really bad news. ..man i sure hope you guys up there get some rain real soon....thats a bad situation,and people are going to lose their homes and their busniseses,and lets hope that everyone stays safe. ..hope the rains come

[danc]

As Tom said, it's a serious situation here right now. We ended last fall in extreme drought conditions with fires burning as late in the season as I ever recall. Then we were blessed with a very mild winter with virtually no snow. I think I shoveled my driveway once. Now it's spring. The forests are tinder dry. Folks relying on well water are out of luck. Lake Superior is down 40+ inches, an 80 year low. And it was at least 80 degrees F here today. Unheard of. And more heat to come.

[tjsa]

My personal belief is that during fire season human activity should be restricted when you know the risk of a blaze is extreme... That said I do realize that alot of fires are caused by natural forces.... but you guys up there are in crisis mode.. and unless something is done.. there will be very little tourist $$ coming your way.... The problem is people are thinking about the NOW rather then the LATER... The Lodge owners might not like it... but if one needless fire could be averted due to human activity??... is it worth it?

 

Gerritt.

 

For us, yes it is worth it, despite tourist dollars.

 

Thats why I posted this, to inform people coming up this way, we are in crisis mode right now, and their dollars may be better spent elsewhere, unfortunately. I don't want people who have booked places ahead of time to have to waste their hard earned cash to travel long hours this way, and not be able to have a good experience up here, cause they will be turned away from the border, or highway access, whatever.

 

Everyone heading up this way, please keep a good keen eye on the situation up here, and call ahead to your destinations for updates on the fire notices.

Might save you a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$, travel time, etc., even if it does crush your plans of fishing getaway. Better to be safe.

[bigfish1965]

Doing a rain dance for you, Thom. Amazing how such a short distance away, we have had more rain than we can possibly use.

[irishfield]

Rain is guaranteed for Monday !! I'm headin North and will be loading an open boat to head to the island.

[Nanook]

Gee1 Thats a sad state of affairs for you guy's up there.I got caught with one on a fishing trip near Temagami years ago, just a bit hair raising to say the least.

You were forcasting this all Winter, pity it came true.

 

The weather forcast says rain in your area Tues P.M. All the best.

[FinS]

hopefully u get rain soon

that sucks i know what its like

i know lightning and dry bush dont mix well i always keep an eye on the sky

[Dano]

Thanks for the heads up Tom. We are supposed to be heading to Gearys place (Red Lake area) for the opener. Sure would suck if we got cancelled.

[Mattitude]

Hey tjsa you can see them burning here. http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/dat...or.143.250m.jpg

[Whopper]

Hate to hear this Tom!

 

I guess I should invest in a fire suit eh!

 

In the past I have seen fires first hand from the air said but an awesome site.

 

Been pretty lucky about the travel plans in the past but two years ago we had a ban on fires until the last two days of a flyin trip.

 

Hope you get some rain!

 

Whopper

[Bob]

I haven't heard of any fires in this area yet but I expect to. We had minimal snow through the winter and little rain this spring. On the plus side it'll mean fewer black flies and skeeters as the creeks and swamps dry up. There was virtually no runoff and the blackflies depend on that. Every cloud has a silver lining.

[Wes Bender]

As Gerrit mentioned earlier in the thread, this IS a sign of things to come. It is no surprise to me. 2 years ago we had a fire ban on the long weekend. That was the first time for no camp fire on the long weekend of May that I can recall. I have been going fishing on the walleye opener for 15/20 years.

 

I will still go this year, unless the MNR has a road block or a new fire starts in the area where I will be fishing. I will just have to drink more beer to keep warm instead of having the fire. Just a little harder to roast wieners. hahaha

[tonyb]

Mattitude, that is a great picture. I can't believe how much smoke must be there for it to show up that clearly on a satellite image.

 

Rain dance complete!

 

Tony

[lew]

When everybody is praying for precititation for the north country, just be sure to make it only for long, extended summer rains and nothing too severe, as lightening is BY FAR the biggest cause of forest fires.

Edited May 9, 2007 by lew

[Bernie]

Just heard on the radio that fire restrictions are on for this area too.