Fire Red 3 that is burning in the southern section of Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is still out of control but suppression action is being undertaken to protect structural values, property and important wildlife habitat. Recent developments have seen an escape of the fire in two areas. North of Dragon Lake to Mexican Hat Lake and Optic Lake and North of Carroll Lake towards Walking Stick Lake. Please note below the additional access point closures that have been added. The Iriam Lake Road is being closed May 23 2016 until further notice. We hope this will be only be required for the short term.

The fire size is now approximately 70,000 hectares.

Subject to Section 33(1), Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (2006) entry to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is prohibited at the following access points;

Eagle Lake

Garner Lake

Crystal Lake

Carroll Lake

Obukowin Lake

Jan Lake

Leano Lake

Onnie Lake

Johnson Lake

Travel on canoe routes in the vicinity of Fire 3 while in the interior of Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is also prohibited. Please contact the park office for a copy of a map depicting this area. This decision has been made with the safety of visitors to the area in mind. You can reach us at woodland.caribou.mnr@ontario.ca or 807 727 1329.

Even though it has recently been cool and damp, the bush is very dry. Soils are thin in Woodland Caribou and it takes little time for vegetation to dry out after precipitation. Accentuating this situation is the Snowdown Event of 2012 and the sawyer beetle damage throughout the area. Please use the highest level of caution when recreating and travelling in the bush.

Just to update some folks, we have seen much cooler temps and rainfall all weekend over the park and in Red Lake. Showers and cooler temps are supposed to stay until Wednesday of the coming week which should work in our favour and allow the fire crews to do what they do.

Harlan