Forest Fire Closures

[BigChief]

Kipawa Lodge posted on FB the following:
Good news! Bad news! The good news is that it is raining in Kipawa at this moment. The bad news, the bush is still closed. Barricades have been set up at the boat launches and at the Maniwaki road. Just to clarify, this was not a voluntary evacuation. The risk is real! We are far from danger at this moment. The closing of the bush was to prevent any additional fires from popping up. Air quality at Kipawa Lodge is good. We will keep you posted.

[Campkipawa]

Kipawa Lodge posted on FB the following:
Good news! Bad news! The good news is that it is raining in Kipawa at this moment. The bad news, the bush is still closed. Barricades have been set up at the boat launches and at the Maniwaki road. Just to clarify, this was not a voluntary evacuation. The risk is real! We are far from danger at this moment. The closing of the bush was to prevent any additional fires from popping up. Air quality at Kipawa Lodge is good. We will keep you posted.

The QPP told me the same. Our region is not currently in danger, the restrictions were not based on the Kipawa areas threat, but rather precautionary due to potential resource issues in the event a fire broke out in our area. The forecast shows a number of rain days upcoming, here's hoping it gets us all back to our cottages / lodges / etc.

[jackalofnar]

Very helpful resource to understand the hotspots and magnitude. 

https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

[Campkipawa]

Decent amount of rain overnight in the area and more in the forecast.

[Fort Wisers]

Decent amount of rain overnight in the area and more in the forecast.

Let's hope more keeps coming!

[RickOnt]

Rain is good!!

Rhybak   Did your trip for this weekend into 3seasons get cancelled?

[Fishn Deep]

Those close to the action what do you think the odds are that the forests and zecs open back up
for the June 17 to 24th trips? It appears the projections are showing low fire risk for the greater Kipawa area by
Monday.

[Campkipawa]

I would say the chances are very high for reopening given the current situation (Kipawa area was never itself considered high risk) and the forecast shows significant rain over the next week. I would think (only my opinion) they will open in the coming days.

[smitty55]

Wayne has been posting regular updates on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/KipawaLodge

[puckster_guy]

I heard from a local friend of mine. Due to rain already received and rain in the forecast,  roads may well be reopened by Monday. Keeping fingers crossed lol.

[JohnPK]

Just an update and bit of a trip report. We were at Alwaki from June 3-9th. Pulled the boat out yesterday morning at around 9 am at Kipawa Gov't launch. It had barricades up which we moved to be able to get out. Of course someone in a black pick up stops and takes our picture and rushes off. (not sure what exactly that was about but naturally we had to get our boat and gear out and loaded). We had heard from Brian that Kipawa Lodge was taking people out mid week and I believe Brian cancelled any bookings for the upcoming week. It was a very good week of fishing with no rain until Thursday night..it rained some but certainly not enough to change anything drastically. Air up there was hazy throughout the week and one day the smell of smoke was evident.
Bugs were absolutely horrible. Black flies were maxed out and skitters were out in the evenings.
Fishing was awesome as always. Couple of our go to spots didnt produce as well but others were better than usual. Several days of over 40 fish in our boat (3 of us). Largest fish was a beauty 8 lb, 29 inch female that had spawned out and another 6 or so that were above slot and released.  Several of the smaller males were still miking some. Hopefully no new fires will happen that would endanger this beautiful area.
Good luck to anyone who is heading up and hopefully they will get more rain soon.
John

[cmoreau]

@JohnPK There was a mandatory closure of the forests earlier in the week so outfitters were supposed to have evacuated their guests - that?s probably why someone was taking your picture as you shouldn?t have been there and moved a barricade to get your boat out. For someone passing by they may not have been able to tell if you were leaving or launching. If they got your plates and report you you might find yourself in some trouble with the government.

Here?s a news article from June 7th.. https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/quebec-wilderness-outfitters-hit-hard-by-quebec-fires-and-forest-access-ban-1.1929932
basically on Tuesday 350 outfitters in Quebec were shut down including all in the Kipawa area and Abitibi-temiscaming so there should not have been any guests at any lodges fishing or any tourists on the lake for the rest of the week or currently as it is still closed. There was/is no immediate danger but conditions were and I believe still are extremely dry and the order to evacuate was to lower risk of new fires as there would be no help with an unprecedented number of fires throughout Quebec and Canada.

For those looking for more info and updates SOPFEU is where to look and also to report a fire

https://sopfeu.qc.ca/

[Chumy77]

@ John PK, thanks John for the updates , looks like you guys had a great trip. I'm suppose to go the week of June 17Th ,had a few question.
How deep were you catching them, trolling ,jigging, slip-bobber(best presentation)Were you using worms/leeches. Also can you transport worms and leeches from Ontario to Quebec. Any info would be appreciated...Chumy

[Campkipawa]

A good amount of rain fell in the kipawa area yesterday afternoon, evening, and into the night. The upcoming forecast shows significant rain, 30-50mm tomorrow alone. The province has also secured more manpower, enough so that they are now able to target less pressing fires. Hoping for an update soon.

[Fort Wisers]

A good amount of rain fell in the kipawa area yesterday afternoon, evening, and into the night. The upcoming forecast shows significant rain, 30-50mm tomorrow alone. The province has also secured more manpower, enough so that they are now able to target less pressing fires. Hoping for an update soon.

Fingers crossed.....