Centennial Lake fire 'greatly suppressed', area mayor says; evacuation order still in effect
The wildfire burning at Centennial Lake, about 150 km west of Ottawa, has been significantly reduced and is being held with a burnt area.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), an extreme fire risk remains in the region. An open air fire ban is in effect.
Greater Madawaska Mayor Rob Weir tells CTV News Ottawa that the fire has been "greatly suppressed" compared to Monday. The local fire crews went home Monday night and are returning Tuesday, but crews from the MNRF remained on scene overnight.
A statement from the municipality said that crews are holding the fire within the burnt area and that fire suppression efforts are focused on hot spots and preventative measures around the perimeters of that burnt area.
However, water bombers have not been able to return, because of province-wide smoke. A ministry helicopter is on site, dropping water on hot spots and neighbouring fire departments are also helping. Volunteers from the public are not needed at this time, the municipality says.
"Later this afternoon, we're expecting water bombers to be able to attend the area and saturate the area where the burn has already taken place, plus the immediate perimeter," Weir told CTV News Ottawa. "Because of the wind we do have some flareups taking place, but we do have our firefighters on scene taking care of them."
Weir would not say the fire is under control, and the ministry's fire map also says it isn't, but he says it is containted.
"I can't say it's under control because it's a fire. Fires do change, they have their own dynamics," he says. "The wind can rapidly change. We're hoping that this rain that is in the forecast comes quickly, and that would help us as well."
The fire started Sunday afternoon, prompting an evacuation order for nearby residents and cottagers.
The municipality says the precautionary evacuation order is in effect until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday for the areas of Black Mountain Estate, Little Bay Lane, Airds Lake Road behind Snider's Tent and Trailer Park, and Snider's Tent and Trailer Park at 271 Airds Lake Rd. Additional evacuation orders are not expected to be required.
Larry Sachan lives on Black Mountain Road and said firefighters came to his home to say an evacuation was taking place.
"When it is your home there's that little bit more, you know what I mean, because it's all your personals, it's your whole life in one place," he says. "It's just hard to stay away when you just want to check, just to see."
There is no word yet on what caused the fire.
--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Dylan Dyson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.