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Lightning sparks forest fires in NW Ontario

One blaze has burned 2100 hectares southeast of North Spirit Lake
MNR Nip fire 2  2017
(Tbnewswatch file/MNRF)

DRYDEN, Ont. — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry dispatched aerial patrols on Monday to look for new fires that may have been sparked by recent thunderstorms in the region.

A ministry spokesperson in Dryden said the MNRF was hoping to locate fires while they were still small.

It's already dealing with half a dozen lightning-caused fires in the northwest, including a 2100 hectare blaze southeast of North Spirit Lake. The fire has grown significantly from 250 hectares on Saturday, but is currently burning in a direction away from the community.

Information officer Chris Marchand said the suppression effort includes aerial attack by a pair of CL-415 waterbombers.

Another lightning-sparked fire has grown from 20 hectares to 70 hectares near Auger Lake, about halfway between the northeast tip of Wabakimi Provincial Park and Fort Hope.

There were 15 actives fires across the northwest as of mid-afternoon Monday.

The current fire hazard is listed as low in southern parts of the region closer to the U.S. border and Lake Superior, but it increases to moderate and high-hazard zones in more northerly areas.




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