One new fire was confirmed in the Northwest Region yesterday.
Fort Frances Fire #10, located on an island in Sunshine Lake near Atikokan, currently is “being held” at 0.1 hectares at last report.
Two other fires currently are active in the region, including one that is “being observed” in Red Lake District.
The other one is “under control” in Nipigon District.
Two northern fires in Red Lake District were declared “out” yesterday.
Both were lightning-caused blazes that started June 25 and were listed as “being observed.”
They were declared “out” at eight and 10 hectares in size.
There also was a fire in Fort Frances District on Monday that was investigated and confirmed the following day.
Unsettled weather continues in the Northwest Region of Ontario resulting in a mix of forest fire hazards. Hot, humid conditions combined with clouds and storms are triggering thunderstorms, severe at times.
In other locations the forecast is for continued sunshine and drying trends. This will mean that fire hazards will range from “low” to “high.”
The fire hazard is building and is forecast to be “moderate” to “high” in the southern sectors and “high” to” extreme” in the north.
Today, a weather system over the Prairies will bring clouds, rainshowers, and thunderstorms into the border regions with Manitoba, while mainly sunny skies will reign elsewhere in the region.
Some 31 personnel from the Ministry of Natural Resources currently are on assignment in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia to assist in forest fire management efforts there.
These personnel are from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services bases across the province.
There currently are six active fires in the Northwest Region, five of which are “being observed” and one new blaze.
The new fire started in Webequie near the dump, and was 0.1 ha in size.
No problems were anticipated, and it was expected to be called out by late yesterday.
No new forest fires were reported in the Northwest Region by yesterday evening.
Clearing weather will result in a “moderate” forest fire hazard in the south, a “moderate-high” hazard in the north, and a “high-extreme” hazard in the northeastern sector of Nipigon District, which has seen less rain than other areas.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (Fort Frances District) is reminding area residents that a flood warning remains in effect for the Atikokan, Fort Frances, and Rainy River areas.
Recent rainfall has resulted in very high inflow conditions throughout all watersheds within the district, including the Seine River, Atikokan River, Rainy Lake, and Lake of the Woods.
Two new fires were reported in the Northwest Region since the evening of July 4.
One was a human-caused fire in Quetico Park in Fort Frances District and one at Sandy Lake First Nation in Red Lake District.
Fort Frances Fire #8, a 1.0-hectare blaze burning on an island at the south end of Quetico Park, currently is being monitored.
The forest fire hazard is climbing for the Thunder Bay, Nipigon, and Greenstone areas.
Warm sunny afternoons, high winds, and little rainfall have increased the forest fire hazard to “high” and “extreme” in these areas.
Five active fires remain in the Northwest Region, including four listed as “being observed” and one small blaze listed as “under control.”
