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QueticoMike
distinguished member(5280)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/14/2018 01:26PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I heard it is extremely dry up there again this year. I wonder if there will be a fire ban here in the next couple of weeks?
 
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05/14/2018 01:44PM  
QueticoMike: "I heard it is extremely dry up there again this year. I wonder if there will be a fire ban here in the next couple of weeks?"


I think with very hot temps predicted it will be close to no camp fires in the next couple of weeks. It is getting very dry in much of Minnesota. Lot can happen between now and than? Rain?

I think they did get a little rain around May 8th.

MN DNR Fire update
tumblehome
distinguished member(2912)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/14/2018 02:54PM  
I hope so. It's too dry for campfires right now. It takes only one to.......
**If there is going to be a forest fire in the BWCA/Quetico, it will be this week and it will be caused by humans**

From the NWS in Duluth:

Monday.
Dry and breezy conditions have developed near the Canadian border
from north-central Minnesota to the Minnesota Arrowhead this
afternoon. These conditions, combined with dry vegetation, will
cause near critical fire weather conditions through this evening.
This means any fires that develop could easily spread.

Tuesday through Sunday
Gusty winds and dry conditions will develop over far north-central
Minnesota Tuesday. The winds could be strong enough to cause
critical fire weather conditions because of the dry vegetation.
These conditions could cause any fires that develop to rapidly
spread.
Jm5k
Guest Paddler
  
05/14/2018 09:56PM  
Here is a link to the Ontario Parks website. The page states that there is currently no burning restrictions and is updated every few days
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/quetico/alerts
QueticoMike
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05/15/2018 12:59PM  
I just heard they put a fire ban on....... praying for some rain. I have been up there too many times during fire bans.
05/15/2018 03:24PM  
Jm5k: "Here is a link to the Ontario Parks website. The page states that there is currently no burning restrictions and is updated every few days
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/quetico/alerts"
//Quetico
05/15/2018 03:28PM  
Prescribed burn today:Superior National Forest will implement the Sylvania Prescribed Fire Project, 12 miles northeast of Isabella, on the Tofte Ranger District today. The intent of the project is to remove woody debris left after logging and improve conditions for natural regeneration.

I see no camp fire ban yet either in Quetico or the BWCA posted yet?
QueticoMike
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05/15/2018 04:44PM  
Pinetree: "Prescribed burn today:Superior National Forest will implement the Sylvania Prescribed Fire Project, 12 miles northeast of Isabella, on the Tofte Ranger District today. The intent of the project is to remove woody debris left after logging and improve conditions for natural regeneration.


I see no camp fire ban yet either in Quetico or the BWCA posted yet?"


Click on your link, scroll down and look at the last paragraph on the right hand side of the page.
05/15/2018 06:03PM  
QueticoMike: "
Pinetree: "Prescribed burn today:Superior National Forest will implement the Sylvania Prescribed Fire Project, 12 miles northeast of Isabella, on the Tofte Ranger District today. The intent of the project is to remove woody debris left after logging and improve conditions for natural regeneration.



I see no camp fire ban yet either in Quetico or the BWCA posted yet?"



Click on your link, scroll down and look at the last paragraph on the right hand side of the page."


As I read it it is highly recommended,but usually if it is a Ban they say No campfires. Also the upper left still reads No Ban on fires. Which sometimes could happen they didn't correct both sites?

Lower right hand corner as Mike mentioned: Be advised, Quetico is currently in a Restricted Fire Zone due to high forest fire danger.

Please do NOT have campfires (even in a fire pit with a grate) or use charcoal BBQs at this time. Please use portable liquid or gas stoves instead when cooking.
QueticoMike
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05/15/2018 08:08PM  
I'm confused, so if they say please no campfires, that means there is no fire ban and you can still have campfires? So you are saying it is highly recommended not to have a fire but you can still have a fire until they say there is a ban?

Just trying to get a clarification on this, thanks!

05/15/2018 08:36PM  
QueticoMike: "I'm confused, so if they say please no campfires, that means there is no fire ban and you can still have campfires? So you are saying it is highly recommended not to have a fire but you can still have a fire until they say there is a ban?


Just trying to get a clarification on this, thanks!


"


I am confused as much as you are on Quetico,but that is how I read it,but I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
Than you have Minnesota Red Flag warning definitions?

Either way it is extremely dry,smart thing is to not burn at all.
schweady
distinguished member(8071)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/16/2018 07:48AM  
Sort of like the grass fire that took a few structures around here a week or so ago... When the owner got the bill for fire response and emergency services, his comeback was, "Why should I pay this? You gave me a permit!" Stupid is as stupid does...
dele
distinguished member (119)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/16/2018 11:51AM  
Current forecast calls for a bit of rain over the weekend. Hope it's enough to ease the fire concerns. Getting nervous about a fire ban for our trip coming up right after Memorial Day.
05/16/2018 05:32PM  
I think Quetico made it official no camp fires?

With less precipitation in the southern part of the region, Fort Frances and portions of the Thunder Bay Districts have escalated to a high forest fire hazard.

Restricted Fire Zone declared in Northwest Region
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) has declared a Restricted Fire Zone in the Districts of Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden and the southern portion of the Red Lake, Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout Districts and along the north shore of Lake Superior in the Nipigon District.

During a Restricted Fire Zone, the use of open fires – such as campfires, or burning of brush or debris, is restricted. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $25,000 and three months in jail, as well as financial responsibility for the costs incurred in fighting a forest fire.

Portable gas or propane stoves are permitted for use for cooking or warmth, though they should be closely monitored. Portable charcoal BBQs and Hibachis are not permitted unless within 100 metres of a dwelling, or within an organized campground.

Commercial campground operators may allow their guests to enjoy campfires during a Restricted Fire Zone period provided they meet certain conditions.

The Restricted Fire Zone is a temporary measure to reduce the number of new human-caused wildfires as the Aviation Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the OMNRF expects the elevated forest fire hazard to continue into the foreseeable future.
Contact

Northeast Region
Isabelle Chenard
Fire Information Officer
705-564-6156

Northwest Region Contact
Chris Marchand
Fire Information Officer
807-937-7241

Check out our Twitter accounts for safety tips and other forest fire related information. (@ONForestFires / @ONFeudeforêt)
Fires: year to date

The figures below represent the total number of forest fires inside Ontario's fire region for the 2018 fire season, as they compare to the 2017 season and to the ten year average.

2018 123 fires 2017 53 fires 10 year avg 129 fires

Fire bans in Provincial parks

For all park fire bans see Ontario parks alerts
You are responsible for fires you light

From April through October, people using outdoor fires must follow strict guidelines under the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario to ensure their fires are properly managed.

Anyone who starts a fire outdoors must take all necessary steps to tend the fire, keep it under control, and make sure the fire is out before leaving the site. A person failing to burn safely could be fined and held responsible for the cost of putting out the fire. People living in municipalities should check with local fire officials for bylaws on outdoor fires.
Updated: May 16, 2018



05/17/2018 07:24PM  
How about just calling the Park?
old_salt
distinguished member(2547)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/18/2018 07:54AM  
Frenchy19: "How about just calling the Park? "


Why would anyone do that? It’s much more fun to speculate the endless possibilities...
elpirkl
member (14)member
  
05/18/2018 03:41PM  
Outfitter just called, there is now a fire ban in Quetico.
05/19/2018 07:28PM  
old_salt: "
Frenchy19: "How about just calling the Park? "



Why would anyone do that? It’s much more fun to speculate the endless possibilities..."


LOLOLOL
Lotw
distinguished member (307)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2018 06:41AM  
Well the rain end of last week should go a long way towards getting everything greened up and lake levels on the rise. Who knows how long the burn ban will last???? I'm now debating on bringing the coleman propane stove...... we have been doing a lot of our cooking on the grate last couple of years aided by the jet boil. We may need to bring out the big dog.
SummerSkin
distinguished member (207)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2018 07:01AM  
As of this morning, the fire restriction has been removed from the Quetico alert page.

Quetico Park Alerts
QueticoMike
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05/21/2018 07:31AM  
I hope the area gets some much needed rain soon!
05/21/2018 07:34AM  
SummerSkin: "As of this morning, the fire restriction has been removed from the Quetico alert page.


Quetico Park Alerts "


I think it is still on. Just found this: Quetico Alerts- Full Fire Ban
SummerSkin
distinguished member (207)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2018 07:57AM  
Pinetree: "
SummerSkin: "As of this morning, the fire restriction has been removed from the Quetico alert page.



Quetico Park Alerts "



I think it is still on. Just found this: Quetico Alerts- Full Fire Ban
"


You might be right. Their map still shows pretty much all of southwest Ontario in a restricted fire zone. Ontario wildfire map Just seems strange that they would remove the text of the alert from their official alert page.

Good news is that the forecast is calling for some rain this coming weekend. (Of course, last week's forecast called for it for this past weekend...)
Lotw
distinguished member (307)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2018 09:27AM  
I'm on lake of the woods, we got about 1.5 Friday. its amazing the change that it made.
05/21/2018 09:50AM  
Lotw: "I'm on lake of the woods, we got about 1.5 Friday. its amazing the change that it made. "


I see Ely for all of May got just under 2 inches of rain which is very good. But throughout the area it has been so variable. I know around Brainerd we got less than 0.5 inches since the middle of April. Its dry down here.
There talking very warm temps even in Ely for memorial weekend.
Maybe much of the BWCA is find now but farther north it is drier?
mjmkjun
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05/21/2018 10:29AM  
Mocha: "
old_salt: "
Frenchy19: "How about just calling the Park? "




Why would anyone do that? It’s much more fun to speculate the endless possibilities..."



LOLOLOL"

+2
that made my day.
SummerSkin
distinguished member (207)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/21/2018 02:31PM  
I just received a call from an official with the park to inform me that the fire ban is still in place and likely will be past this weekend. Major bummer for our trip coming up on May 27, but I understand the precaution.
05/21/2018 02:37PM  
SummerSkin: "I just received a call from an official with the park to inform me that the fire ban is still in place and likely will be past this weekend. Major bummer for our trip coming up on May 27, but I understand the precaution."


Thanks
,you also got to consider in dry conditions that firefighters are already busy and don't have extra personnel and equipment to fight new fires.
Lotw
distinguished member (307)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/24/2018 07:01AM  
overhauled my food list for next week, hopefully the ban will be lifted but if not we are ready with mostly freeze dried. No steaks over the fire.
QueticoMike
distinguished member(5280)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
05/24/2018 08:54AM  
Looks like they are going to get some rain today, hopefully it helps!
tumblehome
distinguished member(2912)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/24/2018 09:29AM  
Yup, looks like a drizzly day in the Q today. Wet, damp, and muddy portage type of day.
Lotw
distinguished member (307)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/24/2018 09:30AM  
It is raining here, nothing substantial but should be a good soaker. this weeks weather has been great, getting the soil warmed up and now a little rain to green everything up.
daverr
member (49)member
  
05/24/2018 03:37PM  
I called the Atikokan Ranger Station and spoke with a friendly ranger. She confirmed that Quetico is still under a fire ban. But she mentioned that they were receiving rain with more on the way.

She also mentioned that another Ontario Agency, the "Fire Control Center" is the one that issues the burn ban. That agency has authority over a wide swath of land but can and does lift the ban in specific parts of its region. So it is possible that the ban in the Atikokan region would be lifted while the ban in Fort Frances remained.

She also directed me to Quetico's Facebook page for up to the minute information. She says that they update that page very quickly when anything new is known. You can look at the facebook page here.

Finally, I was curious how a burn ban was enforced for people that entered the wilderness before it was put into place. She mentioned that permit will say something to the effect of "No Open Fires" if it is issued during a burn ban. If a ranger stops you and your permit does not say that, they will give you verbal warning and jot down the permit number so that they know you have been informed of the ban.
mapsguy1955
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05/29/2018 07:45AM  
We just got back from Quetico and it is VERY dry and warm up there. My guess is that it will need quite a bit of rain to lift it. We had one day that it was close to 86 F.
Lotw
distinguished member (307)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/29/2018 09:20AM  
I got a call from the park yesterday, It went to voicemail and a very nice lady detailed the fire ban and just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. I'm sure people have been showing up unprepared.
dentondoc
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05/29/2018 01:40PM  
Lotw: "I got a call from the park yesterday, It went to voicemail and a very nice lady detailed the fire ban and just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. I'm sure people have been showing up unprepared. "


I think conditions have now changed. According to the Quetico Park web page, there is NO CURRENT FIRE BAN.

Quetico Park

dd
05/29/2018 01:51PM  
dentondoc: "
Lotw: "I got a call from the park yesterday, It went to voicemail and a very nice lady detailed the fire ban and just wanted to make sure everyone knew about it. I'm sure people have been showing up unprepared. "



I think conditions have now changed. According to the Quetico Park web page, there is NO CURRENT FIRE BAN.

Quetico Park

dd"
Agree
Lotw
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05/29/2018 02:21PM  
Great news! Id still call them before leaving.
05/29/2018 02:35PM  
ALERTS


Another great site.
toomuchtackle
member (6)member
  
05/30/2018 01:14PM  
It's official, the fire ban has been lifted.

Announcement is on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/QueticoPP/
 
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