DRYDEN, Ont. – Three new forest fires were reported in Northwestern Ontario Saturday, as Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry warned of high to extreme fire hazard in southern parts of the region.
The largest fire in the Northwest remained Fort Frances 5, located just south of Sturgeon Falls First Nation. First reported May 12, it stood at 144 hectares on Sunday and was listed as “being held” by the MNRF.
Fires reported Saturday include Kenora 21, burning at eight hectares near Wabaseemoong Independent Nations. It was considered under control as of Sunday.
A second new fire was discovered late Friday at a landfill site near Sandy Lake First Nation. The 0.1 hectare fire was considered under control.
Another fire was reported by the MNRF near Tack Lake, about 17 kilometres southwest of Red Lake, Saturday. It was considered not under control at 0.1 hectares that evening, but was no longer listed as active Sunday.
The ministry warned wildland fire hazard was considered extreme in the Fort Frances-Rainy River region, and remained high through much of the Northwest, including Thunder Bay.
Residents can find updated fire hazard information at the MNRF’s website.
