Coleman fire deemed under control

Diane Johnston

Speaker Reporter

COLEMAN – Rain dampened a fire near Peterson Lake in Coleman Township where mine hazards had made firefighting difficult.

“We did get a little bit of rain last night, and we’re supposed to get more,” said Coleman Fire Chief Don Laitinen May 25.

In an  interview, Chief Laitinen said the fire was under control but not yet out.

At that time, he was waiting for a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry helicopter to perform an aerial scan the next day to determine if the fire had been extinguished.

Meanwhile, he said charges were pending in connection with the blaze.

The blaze was reported at about 5:30 p.m. May 23.

The fire is located in an area containing open cuts and mine hazards, making firefighting on the ground risky.

In the end, Chief Laitinen said firefighters managed to put some water on parts of the blaze. A ministry fire crew remained on stand-by, in light of smoke and “a few hot spots,” he said.