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MVFD Responds to Wildfire Off Opeongo Road

As of the afternoon of October 15, Madawaska Valley Fire Department is currently responding to a large brush fire in the area of Opeongo and Wilno South Roads. The department has the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and neighbouring fire departments.

Yield for first responders with green flashing lights in their dash, and avoid the area. This page will be updated as further information is made available.

UPDATE 1 2:20 pm: 
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is sending a waterbomber to aid in extinguishing the wildfire off Opeongo Road.  If you're out on the lake and see a waterbomber approaching, move to shore.

If watercraft on a lake or river pose a safety hazard, waterbombers will not scoop, causing delays in suppressing this fire and continuing to put our firefighters and other emergency services at risk. It is not known at this time what lake the waterbomber will use.

Did you know there is also a “no drone zone” within nine kilometres of any forest fire? If you're a drone photographer, steer clear of the area.

UPDATE 2 8am October 16:
Thanks to the efforts of the Madawaska Valley Fire Department, Killaloe Hagarty and Richards Fire Department, and MNR waterbombers, the wildfire off Opeongo Road is now contained. As this fire is burning deep in the bush, this fire does not present a danger to the public.

The fire was reported yesterday morning and located just after 10am using a drone. At this point, the fire had already burned 85 acres. In the early afternoon, the MNRF joined the MV and KHR fire departments and at 2:30pm the waterbombers arrived, dropping water scooped from Kamaniskeg Lake for about three hours. Fire crews worked until dark and returned this morning.

Public are asked to continue to stay out of the area as trucks shuttle water along Hopefield and Opeongo Roads.

UPDATE 3 5:30pm October 16:
The MV and KHR fire departments continue to battle this wildfire, which is now 85% extinguished. It is anticipated that the fire will be able to be classified as Under Control by this evening. MNRF waterbombers will be returning to the area this afternoon to aid our local fire departments.

Continue to avoid the area and yield to green flashing lights.
UPDATE 4 10am OCTOBER 17
The MV and KHR fire crews were joined by the Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan fire department for additional support this morning in battling this wildfire. Fire Chief Quade has met with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry this morning and confirmed the fire, which has now burned about 105 acres, is completely surrounded. It is roughly 90% extinguished.
UPDATE 5 - FINAL UPDATE - 3:30pm OCTOBER 17
The Madawaska Valley Fire Department reports that the fire is extinguished on our side of the boundary shared with KHR, and our fire crew will clear the scene shortly. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will also be released by end of day.
Township staff and Council wish to thank our fire crew for their tireless efforts over the course of the past few days, and the public for keeping the area clear to allow our crew and their partners to work.

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