Wildfire at Ontario wind farm construction site on Henvey Inlet First Nation under investigation

A wildfire began in July 2018 at the site of a large wind project under construction on Henvey Inlet First Nation land in Ontario, described in reporting as Ontario's largest wind project. Workers who spoke anonymously to CBC News said crews continued rock blasting and heavy machinery work despite a region-wide fire ban, and that machinery had set off a number of small fires during the preceding week. One of these fires was said to have grown beyond the control of on-site suppression equipment. Pattern Energy Group LP and its affiliate Pattern Development, the developer, temporarily shut down the project and said in a statement that it had seen no direct evidence of a link between the fire and its construction activities, that it was operating within ministry guidelines and protocols, and that its contractors had fire prevention plans. The developer also said the project and its general contractor, Quebec-based C.E.R. Construction, are insured. Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said the cause was not yet known and opened an investigation into whether construction crews were involved. The reported worker accounts are allegations and were not confirmed at the time of reporting.

Not established. Workers alleged that blasting and heavy machinery use continued during a region-wide fire ban and that earlier small fires had started beside blasting mats, and said schedule pressure included seven-day work weeks with night shifts under consideration. One worker said the 20-litre suppression pack carried on site was not enough once the fire grew. The developer disputed any direct link to its activities and the ministry investigation outcome was not reported.

1. Where a regional fire ban is in force, ignition-risk activities such as blasting and heavy machinery work on construction sites need a documented control and stand-down process that schedule pressure cannot override.
2. On-site fire suppression provision should be sized for a credible worst case in forested terrain, not only for small spot fires.
3. Repeated small ignitions are a leading indicator and should trigger escalation and review rather than being handled informally by crews.
4. Workers should have a reporting route for fire and environmental risk that does not depend on speaking to media anonymously.

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