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Press Conference for May 27th, 2012

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sun, 27 May 2012 22:16:13 +0000

More good news for Kirkland Lake Residents, fire still at 2,635ha

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:27:30 +0000

More residents are being allowed to return home in Kirkland Lake, but in a controlled manner. The Kirkland Lake Community Control Group working with the Ministry of Natural Resources will be allowing a controlled return of residents to the Goodfish Lake and Nettie Lake areas. Kirkland Lake 8 is about three kilometres north of the town and began Sunday, May 20^th, 2012. It continues to be listed as not under control although it has remained the same size at over 2,600 hectares. If there is no further threatening fire behaviour, Goodfish Lake and Nettie Lake residents will be allowed to return at 6:00p.m. Police roadblocks will remain in place and all vehicles will be checked to confirm residency. Only local residents will be allowed access. The road will be open to local residents only. Dorothy Lake, Lauramay Lake and Ferguson Lake Roads and areas remain closed. This also includes all areas north of the Nettie Lake including but not limited to Lawgraves Lake. This will mean the return home of all permanent residents.
Residents are advised, when they return to their homes, their access is to their property only. The Implementation Order put in place by the Ministry of Natural Resources remains in effect.

Fear not, Cottages are safe - OPP

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:20:46 +0000

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The OPP is making sure resident's fears are put to rest over their properties by releasing photos of their activities. Shots showing officers patrolling and inspecting through the marine units, ATV units and aerial units. Constable Marc Depatie says property owners can rest assured that the South Porcupine OPP is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of all citizens affected by this natural disaster. Meanwhile, the OPP has reduced the size of the blockade along Highway 101 so that it now runs from Malette Lumber Road to Kenogaming Road. Lake Shore Gold's night shift is being allowed to return to the mine, but under strict OPP escort and only if workers have clear identification they are staff of Lake Shore Gold.

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Timmins fire gets Resized and Reduced, now 39518ha, Suppression Efforts at full tilt

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sun, 27 May 2012 15:01:19 +0000

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One week on into the massive Timmins 9 fire and the MNR have some cautiously optimistic words for the public. Thanks to lighter winds and cooler weather, the fire that once raged to over 41,000ha has been taken down a notch to near 31,500ha. MNR information officer Michelle Nowak adds there is no expectation for further growth today and there was growth last night. Full suppression efforts are deployed this morning with dozers, backhoes and aerial units attacking from the eastern perimeter. An additional 80 fire rangers from British Colombia have joined fire fighting efforts bringing the total number of people on the ground to 180. The State of Emergency continues, an Emergency Area Order is still in place, a full water ban is in effect, a smoke caution is also in effect, Highways 144 and 101 are still closed and the Northeast region is still a Restricted Fire Zone. Another press conference has been set for 2:00pm today at the McIntyre Arena.

Kirkland Lake fire Update: Limited Return for Residents

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:31:28 +0000

Some Kirkland Lake residents are getting to go back home today, but for a limited time. According to the Kirkland Lake Community Control Group, the MNR are allowing a limited return of residents from Goldthorpe Road and Goodfish Road areas over the next 24 hours. The Kirkland Lake 8 fire has been reassessed by the MNR at a reduced size of over 2,600ha and is still not under control. If there is no further threatening fire behaviour, Goldthorpe Road will be open at 6:00p.m. for residents only. Police will continue to man the roadblock at the road limiting access to residents and only as far as the residential area. A re-evaluation of the fire suppression progress in the Goodfish Road area will be done overnight. Additionally, Goodfish Road residents with property south of 911 or Fire #1045 may possibly be able to return to their residence effective 10:00a.m. Sunday, May 27^th, 2012. Goodfish Road would then be open as far as Fire #1045 to residents only. Roadblocks will remain in the area.

OPP Maintains Evacuation Orders, Keeping Blockades in Place, just Wider and Assures Citizens Properties are under watch

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:15:52 +0000

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Evacuation is still the order of cottage areas west of Timmins. The OPP are continuing monitoring of fire activity from Timmins 9 and reinforce that cottages within Star Lake, Little Star Lake, Old Mill Campground, Keefer Lake, Boom Lake, Opishing Lake, Lucquer Lake, Dana-Jowsey Road, Aquesquaw Lake (Squaw Lake), Sewell Lake and Kenogamissis Lake (Bristol, McKeown, and Doyle Twps inclusive) are still under threat. For the time being persons evacuating Horwood Lake and surrounding areas will be allowed to use Highway 101 but only under strict OPP escort. Once beyond Malette Lumber Road, noone will be allowed to return until the threat is subsided. Additionally, Highway 144 remains closed to all traffic, from the junction of Highway 101 at 144, to the town of Gogama at Highway 661. Meanwhile, Constable Marc Depatie reiterates, citizens with properties that have been evacuated have nothing to worry about. Depatie says OPP ATV's, cruisers and vessels are being used to complete the patrols to ensure that no malfeasance occurs in OPP patrolled areas while a growing number of properties become evacuated.

Timmins 9 fire Grows Again, now Around 41,200ha

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sat, 26 May 2012 14:15:10 +0000

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**update**
Fire crews are aggressively attacking the Timmins 9 fire today with the full fleet of waterbombers and helicopters as well as additional ground teams. At the updater press conference this afternoon, it was also learned that though the fire is very close to properties, not a single one has been touched. MNR confirmed heavy equipment and dozers are back out again and are they are keeping the fire from spreading beyond Kenogamissi Lake and Highway 101. Mayor Tom Laughren added that the "City of TImmins is in no imminent danger" but that residents should still be prepared and showed a booklet detailing emergency prepardness that is available for residents from the Timmins Fire Hall on Cedar Street South. Laughren says they will also be enforcing the bylaws on the full water ban as he's seen some people ignoring it. He asks as well for owners of private planes who are flying to the fire zone to steer clear as well, as he doesn't want an incident to occur or hamper fire suppression efforts by the MNR. Flights out of the airport are on schedule and free flowing. The OPP has expanded their blockade zone from Malette Road to Horwood Lake Road along Highway 101. Depatie says some Horwood Lake residents have chosen to leave on their own and were escorted into Timmins, however they will not be allowed to go back until the fire hazard is gone.He says cooperation is vital and necessary for your own safety. Timmins Police meanwhile are handling the roadblock down Dalton Road and it continues to be there. Residents at Kamiskotia were cooperative and glad to return home around 9:00 last night.
Meanwhile Hydro One reports that any power outages are being or have been dealt with and they are watching the fire closely as it burns closer to their main transmission lines. Mark Bender, district manage Hydro One says there's no significant issues to report otherwise.

Police Investigating Forest Fire Scam

mclegg@1051edfm.com (Maggie) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:15:03 +0000

It seems scammers are trying to take advantage of the forest fire situations. The Temiskaming detachment of the OPP says two men dressed in army camouflage and black security hats approached a Haileybury man on Thursday looking for ‘support’ for the on-going forest fires. He says the suspects did not make direct requests for cash, but he told police he was concerned that the men would be approaching seniors for cash. Police warn there are no fundraising efforts being undertaken in relation to the current fire situations. If you are approached by people looking for ‘support’ for the fires call 1-888-310-1122. Also, take note of any vehicles, including the licence plate numbers, used by the people asking for support.

Man Charged for Having Bonfire

mclegg@1051edfm.com (Maggie) — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:12:45 +0000

A man from Kearns is facing charges after people reported a bonfire in the Crosby Lake area. Kirkland Lake OPP say they received complaints yesterday of campers having a fire in a restricted fire zone and they charged a man with “tend to fire”. Police remind everyone that the area continues to be under an extreme fire hazard. No open burning is allowed including for cooking or warmth. Police say if you want to report a breach of the ban call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To report a forest fire call the MNR Fire Hotline at 310-fire (3473).

Good news for Kamiskotia Residents, you can Sleep in your own beds Tonight

you@youdomain.com (editor) — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:36:11 +0000

Kamiskotia residents are getting to go home tonight. Mayor Tom Laughren has rescinded the evacuation order and allowing residents back into Kamiskotia.It comes after assurances from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Timmins Fire Department. All other evacuation orders remain in effect at this time.