Lightning strikes lead to 60 new forest fires in Northwest

About 100,000 hectares of forest in this region are burning as the province continues to confirm new forest fires.

The Ministry of Natural Resources reports that lightning strikes have led to more than 60 new fires, which brings the total number of fires reported this season for this area to 373. Fourteen of those new forest fires were reported Thursday.

Of the 14 new fires reported, 11 are in the Red Lake district, two are in the Sioux Lookout district and one is in the Thunder Bay district.

The Ministry also reports that the area burned nearly doubles the region’s 10-year average.

Meanwhile, an emergency area order remains in effect for the Sioux Lookout District because of Sioux Lookout fire no. 35.

The fire hazard remains at high or extreme in the region.

For more information, call the MNR's forest fire information hotline at 1-888-258-8842.

For a map of confirmed forest fires visit the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website.