This we put out using our back packs and plastic shopping bags to carry water in. The fire was listed at 4 hectares on July 17 th , at 150 hectares on July19th , at 1953 hectares on July 22. This will result in new growth on both these islands. Visitors to Nirivia will have an opportunity to see the devastating effects of fire and to see how quickly nature regenerates after burning. We are fortunate that the forest around our base camp at Armour Harbour and most of St. Ignace Island was left untouched.
Visitors can still enjoy the area and see the results of fire first hand.
W ickham Bay Simpson Island Lake Superior July 2000. In the second summer after the forest fire on Simpson Island there is now ground cover in the way fireweed and other plants. In a survey of three hectares there could not be found a single black spruce or balsam fir seedling in growth. The fire of two years ago being so intense that all ground humus was either baked or burnt completely away. The prospect for tree re growth seems dim for a very long period of time as there is no intention at present to replant the island.