DRYDEN, Ont. — Significant rainfall over the weekend has helped the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry stop the spread of the forest fire that forced 1,600 Pikangikum residents to leave their homes.
The ministry reports the fire is now being held at 3,835 hectares. Twenty-four fire ranger crews remain assigned to the fire, and are working on remaining hot spots.
However, the situation has stabilized to the point that sprinkler equipment is now being removed from buildings and other infrastructure.
A larger fire in the Trout Lake area of the Red Lake district remains listed as not under control, but rain has also assisted the suppression effort on that blaze.
An incident management team assumed command of the 6,800-hectare fire on Sunday.
Near Pickle Lake, following a day of what the MNRF described as "active fire behaviour" on Saturday, rain brought some relief as well for crews battling an 830-hectare fire.
An incident management team was also assigned to it on the weekend.
Heavy equipment has constructed over 2.5 kilometres of fire guard in critical areas, and sprinkler systems have been installed on buildings and infrastructure.
