Staff
The Ministry of Natural Resources reported no new fires this past week.
The fire hazard is “low” across most of the West Fire Region, with the exception of a small pocket in Fort Frances District that’s considered “moderate.”
But that doesn’t mean those spending time outdoors should let their guard down, MNR fire information officer Travis Moffat stressed this morning.
“As we move into the weekend, though, we are expecting a return to sunnier weather and that’s going to dry out the forest,” he noted.
“It won’t take long for the fire hazard to rebound,” Moffat warned.
There currently are 24 active fires in the West Fire Region, including 12 in Nipigon District, nine in Sioux Lookout District, two in Red Lake District, and one in Thunder Bay District.
A total of 13,480.5 hectares are burning.
Moffat pointed out, however, that some of the northern fires, while monitored, are being allowed to burn.
Since April 1, a total of 144 fires have been reported in the region, consuming a total of 13,652.8 ha.
In other news, 59 Ontario fire personnel, including a four-person crew from Fort Frances, have returned from Alberta, where they were helping with firefighting efforts.
The remaining 37 are scheduled to return home tomorrow.
