THUNDER BAY - Thunderstorms rolling through the region over the weekend have sparked nearly two-dozen new fires.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said there were 23 new forest fires discovered this weekend. Throughout the region, there are 98 active fires burning, with 30 listed as not under control.
Conditions remain hazardous for much of the region, with the fire hazard in Kenora, Sioux Lookout, and the Red Lake districts remaining high. In the districts of Dryden, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay, and Nipigon the fire hazard is listed as moderate.
Widespread lightning strikes over the weekend was a major factor in many of the new starts and more thunderstorms are forecast for parts of the region this week.
The largest fire of the new starts is Dryden Fire 35, which is burning north of Boyer Lake, 36 kilometres southeast of Dryden. The fire is 2.5 hectares in size and not under control.
One of the largest fires in the region, Kenora Fire 71, located near the Manitoba border, was discovered on July 15 and has since grown to more than 10,000 hectares. It remains listed as not under control.
Access to to some canoe routes and lakes in Woodland Caribou Park remain restricted because of the fire situation.
