Forest fire in Ladysmith
Local Journalism Initiative
Tashi Farmilo
Published in the Pontiac Journal on Aug 13, 2025.
THORNE – A forest fire burning 3.2 hectares northeast of Sparling Lake was contained after a joint effort by local volunteer brigades and provincial wildfire specialists.
The fire broke out August 9 in thick bush off Chemin Leduc. Shawville–Clarendon and Thorne firefighters responded but found it unreachable by vehicle.
“It was deep in the bush, we could not get to it with the trucks,” said Shawville Fire Chief Lee Laframboise. “We had to walk in with water packs, so we called SOPFEU (Société de protection des forêts contre le feu).”
SOPFEU deployed two helicopters carrying crews and a water bomber that dropped 6,000 gallons. Crews cut a perimeter break to stop the fire’s spread.
Spokesperson Mélanie Morin said seven SOPFEU firefighters were on site Saturday, with six still working Monday, August 11. Storm cells shortened aerial work on Saturday evening, but “the fire held at 3.2 hectares.”
By Sunday, SOPFEU reclassified the fire from “being held” to “under control.” Both officials expected full extinguishment by Tuesday, August 12. No injuries or losses occurred; some residents left temporarily. The cause remains under investigation.
Laframboise and Morin warned fire danger in Pontiac remains “high to extreme,” urging residents to avoid burning until rain, expected Wednesday, lowers the risk.
Photo – A SOPFEU water bomber drops thousands of gallons of water on a forest fire near Sparling Lake in Thorne on August 9.
