THUNDER BAY — A large brush fire late Wednesday afternoon forced the closure of some roads and prompted Thunder Bay Police to advise members of the public to avoid an area of Oliver Paipoonge just west of the city.
At 5 p.m., police said Twin City Crossroads was closed to traffic between Arthur Street West and Highway 11/17.
A section of Highway 11/17 was also closed in that area, and police urged motorists to avoid travel on Arthur Street between 20th Side Road and the junction of Highway 11/17.
They said traffic disruptions were likely on other roads in the vicinity as well.
The races at Thunder City Speedway scheduled for Wednesday evening were cancelled.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue and Oliver Paipoonge firefighters responded to the emergency, with assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Police said MNR waterbombers were expected to be deployed.
A spokesperson for the Thunder Bay fire service said he was aware of at least four fires burning in farmers' fields in the vicinity, but hadn't heard about any structures being destroyed.
East Gorham resident Katelyn Turk was driving on Arthur Street West near Townline Road when she spotted a small fire, and said police and firefighters were just responding.
"Seven minutes later, we came back. It was engulfed. The whole side of Arthur Street by Gordon's Trailers, all down to the train track, was completely burnt and had already gone out."
Another fire, she said, "was running behind people's barns and through all their hay."
Turk estimated the flames were burning at times to a height of 70 feet.
"I didn't see any buildings on fire, but they are very close to people's barns."
