Timmins remains under a state of emergency and a full water ban due to the forest fire burning about 30 kilometres away. The fire – Timmins 9 – is currently the largest in Canada and is about 31,660 hectares in size.
Highway 144, which connects the city to Sudbury, is closed and some restrictions apply to Highway 101 west. Heavy smoke and ash continue to affect the city. Smoke from the fire has been reported in Cochrane and is expected to reach Kirkland Lake later today (May 25).
Lake Shore Gold's Timmins West Mine is 15 kilometres away from the fire and operations have been temporarily suspended due to high winds and smoke. The company has also suspended all surface exploration work.
Production from the company's milling facility and mining operations at the Bell Creek Mine, both located on the east side of Timmins, are not affected by the forest fire. It currently has a stockpile of 16,000 tonnes of ore available for processing at the mill, representing approximately eight days of production, with another 6,000 tonnes of ore on surface at the Timmins West Mine and 35,000 tonnes of low-grade material also stockpiled at the mill.
Kirkland Lake also remains under a state of emergency as a 2700-hectare forest fire – Kirkland Lake 8 – burns about three kilometres north of the town. Residents have been told to prepare for an evacuation in the event the fire pushes closer to the community.
Kirkland Lake Gold's Mine Complex has suspended production following damage to a power line feeding the mill and the three shaft complex caused by the fire. The company estimates the earliest date that production shifts will recommence is May 31. Kirkland Lake Gold is taking advantage of the down time to complete maintenance and other project work where an electrical shut down would be required.
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