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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Quetico Forum :: Fire ban?
 
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mapsguy1955
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
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
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
 
Lotw
05/29/2018 02:21PM
 
Great news! Id still call them before leaving.
 
Pinetree
05/29/2018 02:35PM
 
ALERTS



Another great site.
 
Pinetree
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
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
05/24/2018 08:54AM
 
Looks like they are going to get some rain today, hopefully it helps!
 
tumblehome
05/24/2018 09:29AM
 
Yup, looks like a drizzly day in the Q today. Wet, damp, and muddy portage type of day.
 
Lotw
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
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.
 
old_salt
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...
 
Frenchy19
05/17/2018 07:24PM
 
How about just calling the Park?
 
Pinetree
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
 
Pinetree
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
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.
 
QueticoMike
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.
 
Pinetree
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
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!



 
Pinetree
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





 
schweady
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...

 
Pinetree
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.
 
dele
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.
 
Pinetree
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
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.
 
QueticoMike
05/14/2018 01:26PM
 
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?
 
elpirkl
05/18/2018 03:41PM
 
Outfitter just called, there is now a fire ban in Quetico.
 
Mocha
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
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
05/21/2018 07:01AM
 
As of this morning, the fire restriction has been removed from the Quetico alert page.


Quetico Park Alerts
 
QueticoMike
05/21/2018 07:31AM
 
I hope the area gets some much needed rain soon!
 
Pinetree
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
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
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.
 
Pinetree
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
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
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.
 
Pinetree
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.
 
Jm5k
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
 
toomuchtackle
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/