Parry Sound 33 wasn’t as active today.
The massive forest fire, which is burning about 75 km north of the town itself, is sitting at just over 10,100 hectares. That’s about the same size it was yesterday but is still listed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as “not under control.”
The fire has consistently grown from day-to-day since it first broke out on July 18th near Henvey Inlet. It has gotten close enough to Highway 69 to prompt a response from the Ministry of Transportation.
In a statement today the ministry said it, along with the OPP and the MNRF, and watching the fire closely. The ministry says plans are in place to redirect traffic on Highway 69 “if and when” Parry Sound 33 becomes a danger to people driving on that road.
In the meantime, local fire departments have been getting multiple calls about smoke coming down the coast of the bay. A change of wind direction is bringing smoke from Parry Sound 33 to the area; Environment Canada expects it to break up once the wind changes direction again later tonight. MNRF crews are continuing to battle the blaze both on the ground and in the air.
The Town of Parry Sound says this smoke is not an emergency situation and is asking people to only call 911 if they see a fire.