C-GGMB and Tim off to save some canoers

Tim and Russ arrive on Bigshell Lake to find 5 young women ready for rescue

C-GEZW and Russ skirting the fire- Mission accomplished

We still have no fires near our camps, and guests are fishing and enjoying our great summer weather. 

BUT elsewhere fires are raging.  Russ and Tim were off today to rescue a group of 5 canoers.  They needed to be moved from Bigshell Lake across the fire zone to Artery Lake on the Bloddvein where they could resume their trip.  Tim and Russ flew together past the fire boiling up between Murdock and Larus Lakes.  They wondered how much gear a group planning to be out in the bush until August 18 would have and if it would fit in the planes.  When they arrived they were happy to find 5 petite girls, enjoying their trip and ready to hop over the danger zone.....no problem....no big guys with cases of beer on this trip!

The fire known as Red 124 began on July 25 (11 days ago. Hugh noticed it burning by our old wild rice camp along the creek near Ben's Lake.  The location is in Woodland Caribou Wilderness Park. Here forest fires are supposed to be left alone to burn naturally EXCEPT for value protection.  That means the MNR can use fire fighters, sprinkler systems and water bombers only to protect camps and such.  Our boreal forest is meant to burn. Without a fire every 100 years or so, the bush turns into garbagey balsam and a miss match of species. Jackpine cones only open with the heat of a fire.  Plenty of plants like blueberries and fireweed are waiting in the wings to flourish in the new acidic soil. 

During the last 100 years, we have developed fire protection and loggers have tried to imitate the fire environment when they cut.  People have spread themselves through the bush building cabins, small towns, logging operations and mine sites.  We have grown accustomed to the MNR sweeping in and saving the day.  Now they must let a fire burn and just protect small sites.  There may be problems if cabins need to be left with limited gas, if the fire breaches the border of the park.  Short term problems are just smoke smoke smoke.  The planes need to see the ground to fly, and land safely. 

Hmmm, If this gets worse, we'll turn around and head home