SAVANT LAKE — An evacuation order is in place for the Ojibwe Nation of Saugeen and surrounding areas due to a wildland fire.
Travel is also prohibited on Highways 516 and 599 near Savant Lake.
The evacuation order as well as travel restrictions in the area were implemented on Wednesday evening to protect public safety and facilitate effective fire suppression of a 2,000-hectare forest fire to the south of the First Nation, dubbed Sioux Lookout 3.
Crews of wildland firefighters are working in the area, focusing on values protection.
Unless authorized by a travel permit, the restrictions prohibit using the portion of Highway 516 east of Houghton Lake and Highway 599 north of the CN rail crossing, including Savant Lake and Highway 599 south of McCubbin township.
The restrictions also prohibit using the forest access roads of 702, East Island Lake, Island Lake and Pintail roads.
Travel and access onto lakes and waterways encompassing the Savant, Jutten, Neston and Marchington River system east of and including Kashaweogama Lake and all Crown lands are prohibited, which the use and occupation are also banned.
Sioux Lookout 3 is one of several forest fires that provoked evacuations and travel restrictions in the region this week. Including Kenora 20, which forced the evacuation of Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and Fort Frances 4, which forced the evacuation of an area near Sapawe.
More information is available on the Ontario Forest Fire’s website and those looking for travel permit information for the area can contact Jacey Cole at 807-738-5658.
