NEWS RELEASE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES ************************* Emergency area order implemented in Wawa area McGuinty government addressing escalated forest fire situation Effective 8 a.m.

NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF

NATURAL RESOURCES

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Emergency area order implemented in Wawa area

McGuinty government addressing escalated forest fire situation

Effective 8 a.m. on Friday May 18, 2012, an Emergency Area Order has been put in place in an area north of Montreal River in Northeastern Ontario.

The order covers an area around the Wawa 4 wildfire, located southeast of the community of Wawa, as depicted in the attached map.

Putting the order in place is a precaution that allows the ministry to move quickly to restrict access to areas being threatened.

While the order is in effect road closures and travel restrictions may occur to ensure public safety.

This could involve closing roads to prevent the movement of people into the emergency areas.

It also means that people may be asked to leave an area, if fire management personnel believe that the public is at risk from the threat of fire.

For information, the public can contact the Ministry of Natural Resources Wawa District Office at (705) 856-4701.

Quick facts

Currently, there are 27 active fires in Ontario.

There have been 252 forest fires to date this season.

Many of these fires have been human-caused and have occurred near populated areas.

4,472 hectares have burned to date, which is about average.

310-FIRE (3473) is northern Ontario’s toll-free forest fire reporting number.

Learn more

Discover how to be FireSmart

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The emergency area order applies to the areas in pink on the map below.