9,285 hectare fire north of Cat Lake First Nation
A massive forest fire continues to burn north of Cat Lake First Nation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reports the Sioux Lookout #7 fire has grown to 9,285 hectares and is not under control.
12 fire crews and 4 helicopters have been battling the blaze, and the MNRF says the fire is burning away from the community. No evacuation orders have been issued at this point.
As of right now, there are 6 active forest fires in the Northwest region, with 3 labelled as “not under control.”
Northwest region under a Restricted Fire Zone
The City of Kenora and the Town of Fort Frances have placed a fire ban in response to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry declaring a Restricted Fire Zone into effect for much of the region.
The Restricted Fire Zone was put into effect last night at midnight due to the extreme forest fire hazard, and will include Kenora, Dryden, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Fort Frances, Atikokan, Ignace, Thunder Bay and all communities to the far north.
Fire information officer Shayne McCool says you can still cook outdoors, but open flames are not permitted. Portable gas or propane stoves may be used for cooking or warmth, but must be handled with extreme caution.
All fire permits will be suspended until the Restricted Fire Zone is lifted.
Aggressive hitchhikers were from Southern Ontario
More details about the aggressive hitchhikers who were arrested late last week have been released.
At around 2 PM on Thursday, OPP received reports of two individuals on Highway 17 who were acting aggressively towards anyone who stopped for them.
One suspect was quickly arrested, while the other was found later that evening with the help of the Emergency Response Team, K9 Unit, and Forest Helicopters.
A 36-year-old from Bosanquet, ON has been charged with:
- Assault with a weapon
- Mischief
- Obstruct Peace Officer
- Instrument for use in copying credit cards
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
And a 28-year-old from London, ON has been charged with:
- Assault with a weapon
- Mischief
Aggressive hitchhikers arrested on Hwy 17
On Thursday afternoon, the OPP received reports of aggressive hitchhikers near Whitehead Road.
According to reports, two individuals would jump in front of vehicles in attempt to hitch a ride. Police warned the public to avoid picking up anyone walking along the highway, and to report any suspicious activity.
Both suspects were arrested around 7 PM.
Fatal collision leads to highway closure near Clearwater Bay
Highway 17 was closed in both directions at Burma Road while police investigated a fatal collision in the area.
At around 9 PM last night, EMS, OPP and Kenora Fire responded to a motor vehicle collision involving two SUVs near Clearwater Bay.
One individual was pronounced deceased at the scene, while the driver and passenger of the second vehicle received non life-threatening injuries and were brought to the Lake of the Woods District Hospital for treatment.
The highway has since been reopened.
Kenora man arrested for drug trafficking after outstanding warrant
An outstanding warrant has led to a 36-year-old man in Kenora to face drug trafficking charges.
On Monday, OPP officers arrested the suspect on Matheson Street South, and later discovered he was in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone.
Additionally, the man was charged for possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
The suspect was held in custody and will appear in court today.
Youth arrested after attempted robbery in Dryden
A 16-year-old has been arrested after Dryden OPP responded to a call of a robbery.
Just after 9:00 PM Tuesday night, the suspect entered a business on Government Street, brandishing a firearm and demanding an item.
Officers were called to the scene and were able to locate and arrest the robber.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with robbery with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes.
Lake of the Woods Hospital easing mask requirements
In a step to shifting towards a pre-pandemic environment, the Lake of the Woods District Hospital is easing on some of their mask regulations.
Masks will no longer be required in non-patient care areas, but will be needed in areas with patients, such as the Emergency Room, inpatient units, outpatient clinic areas, and waiting areas.
In addition, all visitors will still be screened when entering the hospital and asked to take a mask. This also includes patients, vendors, contractors, and volunteers.
The hospital will be monitoring the ease of the regulation to determine if any additional areas can follow suit.
Emergency Preparedness Week: What you should have in your emergency kit
In the midst of Emergency Preparedness Week, emergency services remind the public to have essential items on-hand in the event of power outages, flooding, or other emergencies.
Such items include:
- non-perishable and easy-to-prepare food (enough for three days)
- packaged water (approximatey 4 litres per person/day) and water purification tablets
- medications
- cash in small bills
- portable light source
- crank radio
- batteries
- important documents (such as copies of your ID, emergency contact lists, copies of prescriptions)
- extra set of house/car keys
These items should be enough to last at least 72 hours, as that is typically how long it takes for emergency crews to respond. It is also recommended to refresh these items and double check expiry dates accordingly.
It is also important to ensure that every family member is aware of the emergency plan and the items included. As well as contact information and a designated location for everyone to meet in case of separation.
Disturbance at Dryden business leads to two arrests
Two southern Ontario residents were arrested at a local business in Dryden.
At 3:30 PM on May 9, Dryden OPP responded to a report of a disturbance at a business on Whyte Avenue, where two individuals were arrested for possession of drugs and a firearm.
Quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, a loaded firearm, and a sum of Canadian currency were seized by police.
As a result, an 18-year-old from Sault St. Marie and a 22-year-old from Gravenhurst have been arrested and face various charges, including:
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance,
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the purpose of trafficking x2,
- Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000,
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose,
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm,
- Possession of loaded prohibited or restricted firearm,
- Knowledge of Unauthorized possession of firearm,
- Occupant of motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited or restricted weapon,
- Obstruct Peace Officer,
- Resist Peace Officer,
- Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order,
- Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court x2
The two suspects have been remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear in court today.
