Two fires reported near Kenora

    Two new fires were reported in the Northwest Region by yesterday evening, both near Kenora.
    Kenora Fire #30 is 35 km northwest of Kenora while Kenora Fire #31 is about 50 km to the northwest.
    Meanwhile, four new fires were reported in the Northwest Region by Saturday evening, including one on a small island on Sarah Lake at the south end of Quetico Park.
    This is classed as a prescribed fire because it meets criteria for it to be beneficial for the ecosystem and will be monitored.
    Sioux Lookout Fire #36, about 35 km southwest of Big Trout Lake and roughly 380 km northeast of Sioux Lookout, is not threatening any values at this time.
    It is classed as being observed at four hectares in size, and it will continue to be monitored by aerial patrols.
    Sioux Lookout Fire #37 is a lightning-caused blaze located about 19 km southeast of the Musselwhite mine site on Opapimiskan Lake and 120 km north of Pickle Lake.
    It is classed as not under control at 7.0 ha in size. It received rain overnight July 28 and is observed to be smouldering.
    The fourth fire of the day Saturday was Nipigon Fire #60—a 0.1-ha blaze about 220 km northwest of Geraldton at the community of Fort Hope.
    That fire is now out.
    As predicted, most of these new fires have been lightning-caused and fire managers anticipate similar blazes will appear in the coming days as the rain effects from recent storms evaporate, allowing smouldering fires to flare into life.
    Aircraft, personnel, and equipment resources are on alert for this possibility, and aerial detection patrols will be flown over those areas at highest risk for lightning-caused fires.
    The fire hazard is rising, particularly in the southern portions of the region, registering “high” and even “extreme” in Fort Frances and Thunder Bay Districts.
    The public is being cautioned to manage outdoor fires carefully. And in those areas of “high-extreme” hazard, it is recommended that portable gas cook stoves be used for cooking and warmth rather than an open fire.
    In related news, 22 fire suppression personnel from Ontario currently are in Manitoba assisting with the forest fire situation there.