MVFD Wraps Up Region's Largest Wildfire in Over a Hundred Years

Madawaska Valley Fire Department (MVFD) Chief Quade is thanking local and provincial partners for their assistance and support in battling the largest wildfire this region has seen in over a hundred years. 

On Wednesday October 15 at around 7:45am, the department was dispatched for a wildfire in the area of Hopefield and Opeongo Roads. Despite the presence of smoke in the area, the fire could not be located and a drone from the Renfrew County Paramedic Service was requested to aid in locating the fire. At this time, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) was alerted. The Paramedic Service was quick to respond, and the fire was located via drone just before 11am, with a call going out to Killaloe Hagardy and Richards Township Fire Department (KHRFD) as the fire was confirmed to be on their side of the municipal border.

Suppression of the fire began shortly after 11am, and the MNRF arrived on the scene via helicopter to assess the fire from the air. A meeting with the MNRF, MVFD, and KHRFD took place and MNRF ground crews were requested to aid in battling this wildfire. Fire Chiefs from the MVFD and KHRFD were invited to join the MNRF in the helicopter to view the fire from above, and it was found it had a large central body and was spreading in six separate directions. The decision was made to request for an air attack, and a helicopter with bucket arrived first to dump water on the edges of this complex fire. Two MNRF water bombers arrived midafternoon after being cleared from another fire in the province and worked for hours hauling and dumping water scooped from Kamaniskeg Lake. Ground crews remained on scene until dark.

On day two, Thursday October 16, a second MNRF crew joined crews from MVFD and KHRFD to assist, and air support was called in a second time as the fire had spread into a balsam, pine and hemlock stand and was beginning to climb trees. On day three, Friday October 17, the Brudenell Lyndoch and Raglan Fire Department (BLRFD) joined via mutual aid to continue to help battle this fire. They were released that day, and by 6pm MVFD had the fire on the MV side of the border extinguished. MVFD crews returned on day four, Saturday October 18, to check for hot spots as KHRFD continued to work on their side. The fire was completely extinguished that afternoon.

MVFD Chief Quade states: “Truly a huge thanks to each and every member of BLRFD, KHRFD and my fire fighters from MVFD. You all worked so hard and continued to smile through a huge fire - everyone worked so very well together. A huge thanks to MNRF for everything, and everyone went home safe. I am so proud to be a part of such a great organization.”

CAO Sue Klatt states: “Thank you to each member of our dedicated volunteer fire department. Their commitment to training, maintaining equipment, community engagement and dedication to respond to fires is remarkable. The past month demonstrates that throughout the county fire departments, MNRF, and the County of Renfrew collaborate effectively and efficiently with the safety of their respective communities at the centre of each decision.”

Special thanks goes out to:

• MVFD Captain Jim O’Malley and KHRFD Captain Rick Pecarskie for suggesting use of the Renfrew County drone to locate the fire.
• Mike Nolan of the Renfrew County Paramedic Service for allowing use of his staff and resources to locate the fire.
• Brudenell Lyndoch Raglan Fire Department for offering and coming to assistance.
• Greater Madawaska Fire Department Chief Tyler Jordan and other local fire departments for offering assistance.
• Silas Lorbetskie and MV CAO Sue Klatt for bringing food and beverages for firefighters on the scene
• Employers of volunteer firefighters who recognize the importance of leaving during operating hours to assist the community.

Hopefield/Opeongo Wildfire by the numbers:

• 150,000 gallons of water used
• 15,000 feet of hose spread through the bush
• 106 total acres burned
• 35 firefighters on the scene
• 14 firetrucks in use
• 4 separate fire crews
• 2 waterbombers 
• 2 paramedics
• 1 drone