Photo courtesy MNR Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services is dealing with several fires across northwestern Ontario.

As of late Sunday, eleven of the fires were listed as not under control. Six were being held, with one being observed.

That fire is within Opasquia Provincial Park and has scorched over 12,742 hectares. Because of its remoteness, the fire is not causing any harm to people or property.

Ten new fires were reported Sunday.

A fire in Wabakimi Provincial Park, 40 kilometres northwest of Armstrong, covers 6.5 hectares. It is listed as not under control.

Two small fires were spotted near the Nungesser River, about 45 kilometres north of Red Lake. One fire has since been declared out.

Similar-sized fires near Klersy Lake, 70 kilometres southwest of Geraldton, and near Costello Lake, 100 kilometres east of Red Lake, are being held.

Another near McInnes Lake, about 35 kilometres east of Poplar Hill (Obazaadiikaang) First Nation, is listed as not under control but remains small in size.

Also listed as not under control are fires west of Rathouse Lake, approximately 30 kilometres northwest of Red Lake, near Mamakwash Lake, 70 km east of Pikangikum, south of Highway 11, 30 kilometres east of Longlac, and near Pond Lake, three kilometres south of Redditt.

MNR fire crews continue to do battle with a large fire near Cat Lake First Nation.

It remains mapped at 9,285 hectares but is still not under control.

Ministry officials say the fire continues to burn away from the community, and crews are continuing to maintain hose lines at its southern perimeter to prevent any spread closer to the remote First Nation.

The fire hazard continues to be a patchwork of moderate to high zones.

There was some rain in parts of northwestern Ontario, but those storm systems also came with lighting, leading to the potential of more new starts in the coming days.

A ban on open burning covering most of northwestern Ontario remains in effect.