DRYDEN, Ont. — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is currently dealing with 76 forest fires in Northwestern Ontario, including eight outbreaks that were discovered on Sunday.
Two of the new fires are in the ministry's Nipigon district.
A 250-hectare fire in the far north of that district has burned about 250 hectares near Croal Lake, 60 kilometres northwest of Webequie First Nation. The MNRF is keeping the fire under observation.
The second Nipigon district fire has burned about half a hectare and is located near Jessiman Lake.
Elsewhere in the northwest, five new fires—all relatively small—broke out in the Red Lake district, and one in the Kenora district.
Kenora fire No. 71, which was discovered on July 15 after a lightning strike near the Manitoba boundary, remains at just under 9200 hectares.
One hundred firefighters assisted by water bombers and heavy bucket helicopters are assigned to the blaze. The MNRF said it is developing plans to use aerial ignition to bring the fire to its natural boundaries.
Smoke from this fire prompted the transfer of about 75 vulnerable residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation to Rat Portage First Nation. However, the ministry said the fire remains 23 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong, and is not a direct threat to the community.
The fire hazard across the northwest is moderate to high.
