Tuesday, July 19, 2011

MNR dealing with 90 wildfires

Heavy smoke laying over the entire Northwest is hindering firefighting efforts for the Ministry of Natural Resources.  Information Officer Debbie MacLean says crews are battling over 90-wildfires.  117-aircraft, 14-waterbombers, 80-helicopters and 16-transport aircraft are trying to fight through the smoke to battle the fires.  Two fires of note are Sioux Lookout Fire number 70 which has grown to over 87-thousand hectares in size and is now burning 1-kilometre away from the Mussewhite Mine.  Sioux Lookout Fire number 60 is also 14-thousand hectares in size and is burning southwest of the Mine.  Firefighters continue to try and protect the mine site.