The forest fire situation is heating up in the West Fire Region, with 40 new blazed reported yesterday evening and more expected today.
This brings the total to more than 80 new fires within the past seven days.
Deb MacLean, fire information officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources, said campfires left unattended are spreading into wildfires, as well as recent storms accompanied by lightning striking a dry forest, have been the culprits behind the flurry of fires.
Firefighting resources are keeping busy protecting people from the threat of these fires, with MNR FireRangers, CL-415 waterbombers, and air attack units battling the blazes.
Aerial patrols also are flying around the region to spot new fires.
The East Fire Region is sending 50 crews to assist in the West Fire Region. If the number of fires continues to climb, additional resources will be brought in to help out.
Airpower in the region yesterday included six air attack Birddog units, seven CL-415 heavy waterbombers, two Twin Otter waterbombers, 32 helicopters, and nine other fixed wing aircraft.
There currently are six fires burning in the Fort Frances District, four in Dryden, two in Kenora, six in Nipigon, nine in Red Lake, 17 in Sioux Lookout, and three in Thunder Bay.
People can help in supporting the firefighting efforts by using portable gas cook stoves instead of campfires when they are camping or out fishing.
Camp owners and rural residents also are urged to postpone any plans they may have for outdoor brush, grass, and incinerator burning.
Managers across the region are monitoring the situation closely. If the number of both human-caused and lightning-caused fires continue to rise, they may have to impose a Restricted Fore Zone.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
