DRYDEN, Ont. — Despite the rain that fell in parts of northwestern Ontario over the weekend, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry expects the forest fire hazard to climb again.
That's because the amount of moisture in deeper levels of the soil is low.
According to a statement from the MNRF, "High drought code values in the region, a measure of moisture levels deep in the soil, are expected to influence new lightning starts as the fire hazard rebounds and fuels on the surface become more receptive to burning."
As of Monday evening, the ministry reported over 32,000 lightning strikes across the province over the previous five days.
The fire hazard is moderate to low across the northwest.
Four new fires were reported in the region on Monday, including two outbreaks northwest of Red Lake and two near the eastern end of Lac Seul. The largest of these was about three hectares in size.
Temperatures in the Thunder Bay region are forecast to climb to peak between 27 and 30 C. for six consecutive days starting Wednesday.
