| Parry Sound forest fire Parry Sound 33 | |
| Location: | Parry Sound District Ontario, Canada |
| Date: | July 18 - October 31, 2018 |
| Timezone: | ET |
| Acres: | 11362.5ha[1] |
| Cause: | Disabled ATV |
The Parry Sound forest fire (officially designated as Parry Sound 33) was a wildfire in unorganized parts of Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada.
The fire was first discovered on July 18, 2018. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF), the Ontario government ministry responsible for battling forest fires, began immediate efforts to contain the blaze. By July 23, 2018, the fire had covered 50sqkm, forcing evacuations and a state of emergency in the community of Henvey Inlet First Nation, as well as evacuations of people in French River Provincial Park.[2]
The fire grew to 67sqkm by July 26, 2018.[3] By July 28, 2018, the fire was within 7km (04miles) of Highway 69.[4] By August 5, the fire had grown to 112.3sqkm,[5] but the fire was successfully contained within a few days after this.[6] On October 31, 2018, the wildfire was declared extinguished by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.[1]
An investigation by the MNRF ruled that the fire was started by a disabled ATV near Henvey Inlet. This confirmed unofficial reports that construction crews working on the Henvey Inlet Wind Project were unable to contain a fire started by one of their vehicles. The ministry has decided not to raise charges against the construction company.[7] [8]