THUNDER BAY -- Wildfires that may appear dormant in fall can pop back up if weather conditions become warm and dry, provincial fire officials warn.
Though it's not yet known for certain if that's the reason behind the latest regional blaze being battled west of Thunder Bay in the vicinity of Shebandowan Lake, "heavy lightning accompanied weather systems that moved across the region over the last few weeks," said Alison Bezubiak, a Dryden-based spokeswoman for Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) agency.
"Once the weather dries up, winds increase and temperatures rebound, hold-over fires can appear days or even weeks after a lightning strike," Bezubiak added.
In general, human-caused fires tend to pick up at this time of year, while lightning activity isn't as frequent.
The cause of the small fire that was confirmed on Thursday night remains under investigation, Bezubiak said. The fire, less than one hectare in size, is located about 20 kilometres "southwest of the most south-westerly arm of Upper Shebandowan Lake."
As of Friday afternoon, it was considered "under control" after being fought by a provincial fire ranger crew that had been dispatched from Thunder Bay's provincial fire management headquarters.
The blaze was among a dozen wildfires burning across different parts of Northwestern Ontario.
As of Friday, the fire season remained relatively light compared to previous years.
According to Ontario's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services agency, 866 square kilometres of forest lands have been burned over so far this season across the province, compared to the 10-year average of just over 2,000 square kilometres for the same period.
Carl Clutchey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal
