New fires keep rising

Seven new fires were reported in the West Fire Region by the late afternoon yesterday.
Once again, high winds, dry conditions, and hot weather resulted in all the new fires displaying vigorous fire behaviour.
Multiple waterbombers and FireRanger crews were required during initial attack suppression efforts, which proved to be highly successful.
With a total of 49 new fires being reported over the last week alone, Ministry of Natural Resources fire response staff have been very busy. A total of 31 of those fires have been extinguished while 11 currently are receiving direct suppression action by firefighters.
The Aviation and Forest Fire Management program responds to all new fires starts, determining response objectives and plans for each.
There currently are 10 fires in the West Fire Region that are receiving a monitored response as per the Forest Fire Management Strategy for Ontario.
These fires are being allowed to take their natural course as they either are located in parks or protected areas that have approved fire response plans, or are burning in remote areas where they pose no threat to people or property.
In all cases, these monitored fires are managed to achieve specific fire management objectives, such as utilizing the ecological role of fire as an agent of disturbance for the maintenance of ecosystems and critical habitat, or hazard reduction.
The forest fire hazard remains “high to extreme” across the northwest and the recent flurry of fire activity is expected to continue. The MNR has FireRangers and waterbombers on high alert ready to respond to new starts.
The public can assist the Aviation and Forest Fire Management program by eliminating human-caused forest fires. Fire managers recommend the use of portable gas cook stoves rather than lighting campfires.
By eliminating preventable forest fires, the MNR can focus its resources on fighting lightning-caused ones.