DRYDEN, Ont. — Vulnerable residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation who were taken to Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation because of smoke from a forest fire have returned home.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says air quality in the area has improved to the point that about 75 elders, children and individuals with respiratory problems are no longer at risk.
They had been taken to safety last week as the MNRF continued to battle the 11,000-hectare Kenora fire # 71, about 23 kilometres north of their community.
The ministry reports that crews have had success using aerial ignition to bring the fire to its natural boundaries.
160 firefighters are still assigned to the blaze, operating out of a base camp at Minaki with the assistance of heavy bucket helicopters.
On Tuesday evening, the MNRF reported three new fires had been discovered in the Northwest Region by the end of day.
They were in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout districts, and all were less than half a hectare in size.
There are 78 active fires in the region, but 69 of these are either under observation, being held or under control.
