THUNDER BAY – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported four new forest fires in the northwest region Friday, as the fire risk remained low to moderate in most areas, with some pockets of extreme risk.
The new fires, spread throughout the Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, and Red Lake, were all under 0.5 hectares. Red Lake 44, located near Sunlight Lake about 40 kilometres from Ear Falls, was not under control at 0.1 hectares.
Two fires that started near the beginning of July in the Red Lake area continue to burn and had grown substantially. Red Lake 18 had reached 1,693 hectares as of Saturday, according to the MNRF’s interactive fire map, while Red Lake 22 was at 1,109 hectares. Both are currently being observed.
In total, the MNRF reported 16 forest fires in the region as of Friday evening, with two considered not under control, three being held, five under control, and six being observed.
The forest fire risk was considered moderate or low in much of the northwest. Risk was considered high in the Kenora and Dryen areas and some of the far northwest as of Saturday morning, with a pocket of extreme risk north of Sioux Lookout.
