Anyone affected by the Canadian Wildfires ?????

[roscoe]

Returned home from 11 days in Canada, near Upsala Ontario. Fished Wawang for 6 days. Then moved 45 miles south and fished Lac des Mille Lac for some smallies for 4 days.

A week later, fire moved in from the west and burned almost 100,000 acres around Lac des Mille Lac. The fire burned the campground and the wind shifted, stopping the fire in the driveway that separates the campground from the lodge and the 12 cabins.
It destroyed 3 other resorts, possibly more, over 100 homes, and several campgrounds.
The entire area is evacuated and roads are guarded to keep everyone out. Some resort owners still don't know if their's survived. 3 co-workers have cabins on the lake, but they were spared. There was no warning to the area, even though the local fire brigade, OPP, and MNR were all aware of the fire. Many many people could not evacuate and created a flotilla of boats to ride out the night as they watched their resorts and homes burn.

A week later, fire struck near Wawang lake, literally 1.3 miles from where we fished all week. Luckily, the fire moved east, away from the resort. It burned about 50,000 acres and took out Pakashkan Lake Lodge.

Imagine waking up to this, with 60 guests in your cabins.




Then a couple hours later as you are trying to get your guests and your family out.....



And as you are pulling out the driveway, notice how the fire has already jumped to the islands on the left....







So far, both resorts are still standing. And my reservations are booked. But many are not. About 300-400 people a week are going to be looking for a new resort next year..

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I spent 16 in the bush on the Cranberry Portage fire that was 45 minutes south east of Flin Flon back in 2010. Longest I have ever gone without a shower. Good times

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Here in Minnesota this summer the smoke is either from up in northern MN and Canada. Canada is the cause of their own suffering with treating huge areas with glyphosate to kill everything off but pine and spruce trees.

 

[Chris1956]

We smelled the smoke here in central NJ. The smoke-fog was noticeable as well.

 

[bwkre]

I live about 1.5 hours away from Lac des Mille Lac. Many camps, homes and rv trailers destroyed. Our camp / rv was about 12 miles from the fire line when we got notice there was going to be an evacuate order the next morning. My daugher and I made 2 trips to get out as much as we could from our trailers. Then the wife and I made a third trip that night to remove $1000 worth of treated lumber I had taken out to finish a deck. Our rv was new to us and put in place less than a month ago. Like so many others the rv is blocked in by other trailers so removal was not an option. On the third trip we made, the MNR fire crews were setting up sprinklers at all the camps and rv's. They even went so far as to dig lines under the train track so they could bring hoses from the lake to all the camps. We were the next camp / community directly in line with the fire.
That was on July 16th, and the evac order came through on the 17th. Fortunatey the fire has slowed and appeard to be held about 16 miles away. On Aug 1st the evac order was pulled back to the north side of our lake and we have been allowed back, for now.

So thankful for the MNR crews efforts, and so sad for the thousands that have been evacuated from, or lost their homes , camps and communities. So many fires in Ontario right now, very scary.

According ho the MNR online map, the closest fire to our camp is still 16 miles away, being held, but listed as not under control. So for now its day by day.

 

[roscoe]

I live about 1.5 hours away from Lac des Mille Lac. Many camps, homes and rv trailers destroyed. Our camp / rv was about 12 miles from the fire line when we got notice there was going to be an evacuate order the next morning. My daugher and I made 2 trips to get out as much as we could from our trailers. Then the wife and I made a third trip that night to remove $1000 worth of treated lumber I had taken out to finish a deck. Our rv was new to us and put in place less than a month ago. Like so many others the rv is blocked in by other trailers so removal was not an option. On the third trip we made, the MNR fire crews were setting up sprinklers at all the camps and rv's. They even went so far as to dig lines under the train track so they could bring hoses from the lake to all the camps. We were the next camp / community directly in line with the fire.
That was on July 16th, and the evac order came through on the 17th. Fortunatey the fire has slowed and appeard to be held about 16 miles away. On Aug 1st the evac order was pulled back to the north side of our lake and we have been allowed back, for now.

So thankful for the MNR crews efforts, and so sad for the thousands that have been evacuated from, or lost their homes , camps and communities. So many fires in Ontario right now, very scary.

According ho the MNR online map, the closest fire to our camp is still 16 miles away, being held, but listed as not under control. So for now its day by day.

Glad you are ok for now. Looks like a decent break in the weather this week.
Where is your camp? Which fire?

The Evac orders, and the Implementation orders, and the entry permits (which aren't being issued.) Kind of a confusing mess.
You would think that if the Evac order was lifted, you could go in, But you can't because of the Implementation orders, and the halted permitting process.

Over 75 years and 5 generations of our family have been visiting the area from Upsala to Eagle Lake, with a few trips up into Saskatchewan.

 

[bwkre]

Glad you are ok for now. Looks like a decent break in the weather this week.
Where is your camp? Which fire?

The Evac orders, and the Implementation orders, and the entry permits (which aren't being issued.) Kind of a confusing mess.
You would think that if the Evac order was lifted, you could go in, But you can't because of the Implementation orders, and the halted permitting process.

Over 75 years and 5 generations of our family have been visiting the area from Upsala to Eagle Lake, with a few trips up into Saskatchewan.

We are on the south shore of Kashabowie Lake, near the public boat launch. Directly south of Lac des Mille Lac. The fire has swept across the top of Lac and down the west side and south around toward us. Evac orders and implementation orders make for lots of confusion. We receive daily updates from the park owners who are in direct contact with the MNR. Lots of people out here now but not everyone thats for shure. Sorta on alert, waiting for that call / email to get out. All the sprinklers and hoses have been removed as they are needed else where. They said that they would bring them back if needed.
There is also a huge fire just south west in Quetico Provincial park. Not that far away either. I ended up parking my quad in the lake! So many boats were left in the water during the 2 week evac. People that didn't know or just couldn't get out in time. I was lucky to get my boat and about 90% of our personal stuff out. Not going to jump the gun and bring too much stuff back. FORO14 travelled near 20km, 12 miles in just over 24hours as it swept around Lac des Mille Lac 2 weeks ago. Fines for entering during evac were quoted at $800.
The fires are Fort Francis 14, 15 but the big one is around Lake Nipigon, THU036, listed at 307,000 ha. The town of Armstrong has been evacuated and is near surrounded by fire. Thunder Bay, as well as other cities are seeing many evacuees.