Staff
Four new fires were reported in the Northwest Region over the past two days.
Yesterday evening, a new fire was reported in the Thunder Bay District, with both the City of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay MNR Fire Management Headquarters responding.
Thunder Bay Fire #4 currently is classified as “not under control” at 2.0 hectares in size.
As of this morning, it was the only active fire in Ontario.
Meanwhile, Dryden District received a report Wednesday night of a fire burning 25 km north of Dryden.
This fire was classed as “under control” at 0.3 hectares in size yesterday, but has since been put “out.”
Finally, Sioux Lookout District responded to two small fires Wednesday afternoon.
Both are now “out” at 0.1 ha in size.
The region has seen a total of 11 fires since April 1, though none have been reported in Fort Frances District.
Although rain is in the forecast for this weekend, high winds and low relative humidity are expected to keep the forest fire hazard at high today.
Recent fires in the region have occurred in grass fuels. And at this time of year, with dead and dry over-winter grass and vegetation, fires quickly can spread out of control.
People are reminded to follow the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario for safe management of all outdoor fires.
Further information is available at ontario.ca/fireprevention
Report forest fires using the toll-free fire reporting number: 310-FIRE (3473).
FireRanger proficiency training continues, with chainsaw training and helicopter hover exit training.
In related news, Fort Frances District reports it is snow-free in the west end of the district, although there may be some snow cover in the Atikokan area.
Other districts in the region are reporting snow-free in open areas, and almost snow-free in the woodland areas.
