NDP Leader Howard Hampton called on the Minister of Natural Resources to ensure that local media in Northern Ontario are effectively notified about changes in the forest fire situation.

Sootoday.com reported today that the Ministry of Natural Resources East Fire Communications no longer sends out regular email updates on the fire situation. Instead media outlets are told to monitor the Ministry’s Forest and Aviation Web Site for updated information on forest fires.

However, in attempting to report on a controlled burn that had become a 1500-hectare, out of control forest fire, Sootoday.com was unable to find information that was newer than 15 hours old.

“This is a matter of public safety. Northerners need to be provided with the most current updates on fire hazards and the most effective way is for the Ministry of Natural Resources to send out regular updates to local news media,” said Hampton.

The NDP has long been raising its concerns that cuts by the McGuinty Liberals to the Ministry of Natural will result in diminished resources for dealing with forest fires in Northern Ontario.

“The McGuinty government talks a good game on emergency preparedness, but this very troubling situation could put northerners at very real risk,” Hampton said. “If this is the new practice of MNR Fire Communications, it needs to stop now.”