Forest fire hazard in northwestern Ontario reaches high to extreme

As the summer season continues in northwestern Ontario, officials from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are blaming lightning for the dozens of new fires reported in this region.

"High temperatures and steady winds are raising the fire hazard across the region," Fire Information Officer with the ministry, Chris Marchandtold CBC News.

"Currently the hazard is high across most of the region with pockets of extreme hazard in the Red Lake district."

He said there are currently 82 active fires across the region in various stages of control, with 68 of them either under observation, being held or under control.

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The hot weather has not made the situationany better, he said, with two fires of note in Red Lake and Kenora.

"Red Lake fire 70 now at 2900 hectares has been burning in the northern part of Woodland Caribou Provincial Park since July 13 [and] there's an ignition team assigned to this fire," Marchand explained.

He added that a fire inKenora close to the Manitoba boarder and approximately 33 kilometres north of the community of Wabaseemoong "has been aggressive" due to fuel types in the area like standing dead pine.

"It's claimed about 3000 hectares since it started on July 15," Marchandsaid, "[but] at the moment they have 25 crews supported by air attack trying to establish hose lines around the rear of the fire."

While there are currently no fire bans in place, fire crews from Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories are expected to arrive this week to help the region.

Marchand reminds residents to take extra caution when dealing with open fires this week and to frequently check with the municipal fire department for any bans they might have in place.