Region under ‘extreme’ forest fire hazard

With the Northwest Region is under an “extreme” forest fire hazard, more and more new fires are being reported.
Fort Frances District fires #62 and #63 are still burning as of this morning. The blazes, one hectare and 0.2 ha. in size respectively, both are classsed as “not under control.”

Fort Frances District is also reporting growth on the two monitored fires in Quetico Provincial Park. Fort Frances District fire #53 is now 16 ha., while fire #59 is now 18 ha. These are both lightning-caused fires.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reported rashes of new fires are breaking out across the region, exhibiting aggressive fire behaviour and requiring extensive air and ground attack.
The six CL-415 Waterbombers that are strategically placed throughout northwestern Ontario had their work cut out for them yesterday. FireRangers and air attack have been steady flying to new fires.
Fire officials will be looking closely at the causes of some of these fires to determine exactly how they were started.
A fire broke out east of the water tower in Kenora yesterday afternoon, requiring a joint force effort from the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services program, the municipal fire department and the OPP.
Temporary road closures and an evacuation of a near by school were imposed for public safety.
Structural values protection was installed on some near by homes and at this point in time, details into the cause of this potentially devastating fire are limited.
Fire fighting efforts will continue until this fire is brought under control and declared out.
The investigation continues.
Sustained high winds and warm temperatures remain a real concern. Three low level jets are forming on northern Ontario. This will bring sustained high winds averaging 20km/h and wind gust of 30-40km/h, in the far north winds gusts are expected to be over 55km/h.
As a result of these high winds, Kenora District fire 1#03, which is a monitored fire located on the east side of Big Narrows Island, has grown to approximately 25 ha.
This fire does not pose a treat to people or values at this time and signage has been posted on the island indicating the fire is being monitored.
The Kenora Fire Management Headquarters continues to monitor this fire closely.

Thunder Bay Fire Management Headquarters has been keeping a watchful eye on monitored fire #65. This fire has also grown because of the high winds and warm temperatures and is now estimated at 80 ha.
After a reconnaissance flight on Tuesday, Red Lake has declared numerous fires “out” that have been monitored in the far north since July.
The only fire remaining in the Red Lake District is fire #72 which straddles the Manitoba–Ontario border.
Just one area of the fire was recorded as smoking form the sky, while the rest of the fire looked pretty quiet.
Meanwhile, Four FireRangers from Fort Frances continue to be deployed in Minnesota, helping that state deal with its current fire situation. They were first deployed to on Minnesota Sept. 6.
Report forest fires to 310-FIRE (3473)