Press Release
Five new fires were confirmed in the Northwest Region by yesterday evening in the districts of Nipigon, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay.
Forest fires caused by lightning now have been reported in the region, along with multiple wildfires started by people.
Although rain is in the forecast, there are also thunderstorms so more lightning-caused fires are predicted to occur over the next few days.
In related news, Kenora District conducted a prescribed burn yesterday on islands of Lake of the Woods.
The purpose of prescribed burning is to:
•reintroduce fire to some of the Lake of the Woods Conservation Reserve islands in a manner that emulates the distribution and behaviour of naturally-caused forest fires to recover and maintain ecological integrity;
•reintroduce fire to islands in a manner that provides for the protection of human life and well-being, structures, and selected natural and cultural heritage features;
•reintroduce fire in a scientifically-rigorous manner that allows extending knowledge gained across the conservation reserve; and
•determine the effects of fire on the islands and the potential successional patterns resulting from the reintroduction of fire (to support future fire management planning).
People are reminded that they are responsible for safe outdoor fire management and must follow guidelines set out in the Forest Fires Prevention Act of Ontario, including no day burning of brush or grass fires.
For more information about the current fire situation and the active fires map, visit ontario.ca/forestfire
Report forest fires by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
