OTTAWA – A forest fire burning at CFB Petawawa has closed down some access points to eastern Algonquin Park.
Firefighters are battling a blaze in the training area of CFB Petawawa with specialized forestry equipment and water bombers.
The fire started Thursday at around 1:45 p.m., firefighters said, and had grown to around 110 hectares.
The base has its own fire department, which is dealing with the blaze. Five water bombers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Province of Quebec have also been called in to contain the fire.
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CFB Petawawa borders part of the eastern edge of Algonquin Provincial Park, one of the most popular outdoor getaways in the province.
Officials said the fire is on the property adjacent to the park boundary and as a result they have closed down access to Algonquin from Baron Canyon Road. Access points 20, 21, 22, and 23 are all closed.
Officials are also asking some people inside the 7,600 square kilometre park to leave. But a statement from a public affairs officer at CFB Petawawa said the fire has not left base property.
The park’s main eastern gateway, Highway 60, is not affected.
There have been no injuries or damage to personal property, according the statement.
Renfrew County, where the base is located, has been hit hard in this summer’s dry spell.
Some farmers in the area report less than two inches of rain since the summer began. High temperatures and dry timber have put many places in Eastern Ontario on high alert for brush fires.
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