Batchawana Bay Local Services Board

10/06/2026

07/24/2026

✅ TOTAL FIRE BAN LIFTED – EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Goulais Fire & Rescue is pleased to advise that the Total Fire Ban has been lifted, effective immediately.

Following an improvement in fire conditions and the availability of firefighting resources, the Fire Chief has lifted the Total Fire Ban that was implemented under the authority of the Office of the Fire Marshal (O.F.M.) for the Goulais Fire & Rescue response area, including Goulais River, Searchmont, Batchawanna Bay, Ranger Lake, and Montreal River.

While the fire ban has been lifted, we remind all residents that Ontario’s daytime burning restrictions remain in effect from April 1 to October 31. During this period, outdoor burning is only permitted from two (2) hours before sunset until two (2) hours after sunrise. Please burn responsibly, never leave a fire unattended, and ensure your fire is completely extinguished before leaving the area.

On behalf of Goulais Fire & Rescue, I would like to sincerely thank our residents, property owners, and visitors for your patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout the past week. Your commitment to following the fire ban helped reduce the risk of wildfires and protected our communities, firefighters, homes, businesses, and natural resources.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer. Please continue to use caution whenever burning outdoors and help us keep our communities safe.

Thank you,

Kris Rooley
Fire Chief
Goulais Fire & Rescue

📞 For emergencies, call 911.

07/16/2026

🚒 Community Notice – Cooling & Clean Air Space Available Today 🚒

Due to the current heat and smoky conditions, Goulais Fire & Rescue is opening our building today as a cooling and clean air space for residents who need relief.

📍 Location: Goulais Fire Hall
240 Old Highway 17, Goulais River

🕥 Open Today: 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This service is available to residents of:
✅ Goulais
✅ Searchmont
✅ Batchawana
✅ Ranger Lake
✅ Montreal River

Visitors are welcome to:
❄️ Cool down in an air-conditioned space
💧 Enjoy complimentary cold drinking water
😷 Pick up a free N-95 mask (limited to one per person while supplies last)

If you, a family member, friend, or neighbour could benefit from getting out of the heat or away from the smoke, please stop by during the posted hours.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post so those who may need these services know they are available.

For emergencies, always call 911.

Stay cool, stay safe, and look out for one another. 🚒

07/15/2026

‼️FIRE BAN NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALL BATCHEWANA COMMUNITIES AND LANDS‼️

Effective immediately, Wednesday July 15th. The decision to implement this ban has been made to protect our community members, emergency services, homes and forests.

Ways to stay informed:
1. Monitoring local news and social media
2. Checking https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires Interactive fire map
3. Following local fire department updates.

Batchewana Natural Resources will monitor the situation and provide updates when they become available.

07/15/2026

🚨 TOTAL FIRE BAN NOW IN EFFECT 🚨

Effective immediately (Wednesday, July 15, 2026), the Fire Chief has implemented a Total Fire Ban under the authority of the Office of the Fire Marshal (O.F.M.) for the Goulais Fire & Rescue response area.

This fire ban applies to:
📍 Goulais River
📍 Searchmont
📍 Batchawanna Bay
📍 Ranger Lake
📍 Montreal River

Due to the current extreme fire hazard and dry conditions, all open burning is prohibited until further notice.

This includes:
🔥 Campfires
🔥 Fire pits
🔥 Brush burning
🔥 Burn barrels
🔥 Grass and debris burning
🔥 Any other form of open-air burning

⚠️ Please Note: This is a locally implemented Total Fire Ban and is not a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Restricted Fire Zone (RFZ).

The decision to implement this ban has been made to protect our residents, visitors, firefighters, homes, businesses, forests, and natural resources during this period of elevated wildfire risk.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and understanding. Your actions today can help prevent a devastating wildfire tomorrow.

Please share this notice to help ensure everyone in our communities is aware of the ban.

📞 For emergencies, call 911.

Goulais Fire & Rescue
Protecting our communities through prevention, preparedness, and professional emergency response.

06/30/2026

Algoma Public Health (APH) is a public health agency committed to improving health and reducing social inequities in health through evidence-informed practice.

05/21/2026

Please see post below. Batchawana Bay is currently benefiting from having an ambulance stationed and responding to our community from Goulais River Fire station. This is happening thanks to the Sault North Pilot Project. This is something we want to be permanent! 🚑

During Paramedic Services Week, we extend our sincere thanks to the paramedics who serve our communities every day with professionalism, care, and commitment. 🚑

Their work spans a large and diverse geography, and ensuring they are supported with the right tools and resources is essential.

As part of this, Paramedic Services is currently piloting a deployment model in the Sault North area. The pilot places a transporting ambulance in the north while adjusting PRU placement within the city to better support overall response needs.

It’s one way we are working to strengthen service across both northern and urban communities.

Sault Ste. Marie Paramedics