THUNDER BAY -- An extreme fire hazard continues in parts of Northwestern Ontario.
Kenora, Red Lake, Dryden, Fort Frances and Sioux Lookout districts have earned the designation, while Thunder Bay and Nipigon are under a high to extreme hazard status.
Five new fires were discovered by late Saturday afternoon, four of which are not under control (Nipigon 15, Fort Frances 54, Red Lake 56 and Nipigon 14. Sioux Lookout fire, located near Williams Lake northwest of Pickle Lake, has grown to 10 hectares and is being observed.
A 469-hectare fire, Sioux Lookout 39, located northwest of Pickle Lake, was discovered late on Friday and is also being observed. Red Lake 44, near Wagner Bay on Birch Lake, received aerial suppression, while Sioux Lookout 40, burning south of Birch Lake, is being monitored.
At present there are 49 active fires in the Northwest region, nine not under control, 10 being held, 12 under control and 18 being observed. Four additional fires were declare out on Saturday.
Restricted fire zones are in place in parts of the Northwest Region, including Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden, as well as the southern portions of Sioux Lookout and Red Lake districts.
Travel in certain areas of the Fort Frances district is also prohibited unless authorized.
This includes all travel on Northwest Bay Road outside of Naicatchewenin First Nation, including West Spencer Road, Woody Road, Alex Road, and Kaiarskon South Road. Also including Charles Road south of the kilometre marker 24 and all branch roads associated with the previously identified road networks.
All use or occupation of Crown lands, on or within 500 metres of the identified roads, is prohibited.
