MMNR is the lead agency for Forest Fire Suppression (Crown protection area comprises of 99.3% of the Municipality)
MNR forest fire suppression priorities are for the protection of life, protection of private property, and protection of public property (forests).
MNR firefighters will not fight structural fires Fire Crews are usually available from May 1 through to the end of September
MNR maintains a fire response base at Link Lake, which is manned during periods of high forest fire hazard danger during the summer
MNR fire crews response is based on the location of the fire:
Helicopter response could come from Sudbury, North Bay or Link Lake (dependant on Provincial & Regional fire conditions)
Boat - for fires on Lake Temagami, MNR maintains a fire response boat, complete with a fire attack unit, at Finlayson Park airbase.
Vehicle - fire crews may be dispatched to road accessible fires from North Bay or Link lake; depending on crew staffing levels
Water bombers may be dispatched in conjunction with fire crews, depending on availability, forest fire hazard conditions, and values adjacent the fire.
PREVENTION
The Municipality will develop & implement a forest fire prevention program for all areas of the municipality.
The Municipality agrees to control open air burning in a coordinated fashion in the Municipality through bylaws or a municipal fire permit system consistent with the Forest Fore Prevention Act, the Ontario Fire Code and the Ministry of Environment and Energy guidelines.
COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
The Municipality will, at its expense, be responsible for the management and enforcement of the municipal open air burning bylaw and associated fire permit system
The Ministry may undertake prosecutions for contravention of the Forest Fire Prevention Act and its Regulations, irrespective of municipal enforcement of the fire permitting by-law.
