The forest fire reporting line began ringing by early afternoon yesterday as high hazards and windy conditions brought lightning-caused fires to life across the region.
High winds added to the challenge of fighting the new fires and aggressive ground and air attack was required.
People are being asked to use portable self-contained gas or propane cook stoves instead of campfires to help reduce the risk of fires escaping in these windy conditions.
Reports indicated winds gusted up to 30 km/h yesterday—pushing new fires to larger sizes quickly.
By the early evening yesterday, 12 new fires had been reported in the districts of Dryden, Kenora, Nipigon, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay.
More fires were anticipated by day’s end.
Most new fires are expected to have a cause of lightning stemming from thunderstorms and lightning strikes that tracked across the region over the past week.
FireRangers and waterbombers are working hard with aggressive initial attack action on the new fires, but high winds added to the challenge.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
