Quick Action by Resolute Forest Employees at the Thunder Bay, Ontario Sawmill Limit Fire Damage

Prompt action by employees at the Resolute sawmill wood yard in Thunder Bay, Ontario helped to prevent a fire, caused by mechanical issues, in a large log mover from spreading into the adjacent log stockpile. Firefighters from the Thunder Bay Fire Department arrived at the mill shortly after 8:00 AM to find the log lifter totally involved, being fed by both fuel and flammable hydraulic fluids.

While employees were not able to contain the fire in the vehicle, they turned their attention to watering down the logs in the stockpile yard. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Platoon Chief John Kaplanis credited mill staff for their efforts to use the sawmill’s fire hose to protect the wood supply prior to the fire department’s arrival. Mill employees remained on the scene to remove debris and oversee the mitigation of contamination.