Ministry of Natural Resources' forest fire info map for July 7, 2023.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says three new forest fires were reported in northwestern Ontario on Friday.

One fire in the Red Lake Fire District is located about 12 kilometres east of Highway 105 and two kilometres north of Bruce Lake.

The small blaze was reported as being under control as of late Friday afternoon.

Another fire five kilometres east of Highway 105 and two kilometres south of Camp Robinson Road was last listed as not under control.

The third fire is burning about 30 kilometres north of Webequie and 2 kilometres to the east of Winish River Provincial Park.

It was last identified as covering 50 hectares.

As it is not posing any immediate, the MNR is observing the fire.

There are 59 active fires across the northwest region.

Eight are listed as not under control, with another 35 being observed.

The fire hazard remains a patchwork of low to extreme, with sections of high to extreme along the Highway 17 corridor and northward toward Red Lake.

A ban on open fire is still in place for all of northern Ontario.
The Ministry says despite recent rainfall, the forests remain very dry and susceptible to ignition from lightning, resulting in more fires.