'High hazard' for forest fires in northeastern Ontario: MNRF

While wildfires in Alberta are big news, the service that monitors wildland fires in Ontario says most of the northeast region of this province is showing a “high hazard” for forest fires.

And the service says an “extreme hazard” exists for fires for several areas in particular: to the northwest of Onaping Falls (northwest of Sudbury), along Highway 69, Killarney, French River, Magnetawan, and the Kawartha Highlands.

The northeast region includes Algoma, Sudbury, Manitoulin, Cochrane, Nipissing, Timiskaming and Parry Sound districts.

The service was reporting one new fire on Sunday. Algonquin Park District fire No. 1 measures 0.1 hectares and is “being held”, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services for the Northeast Fire Region said in a news release. 

The fire is located on the northern shore of North River Lake, which is about 30km south of the town of Deux Rivieres (about halfway between North Bay and Pembroke on Highway 17).

Another fire burning just south of Timmins was reported as “being held” while another further south of Timmins was reported to be under control.

You can learn more about active fires at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's Forest Fire Info Map.

The forest fire hazard was also high across the Northwest Region on Sunday afternoon, with an extreme hazard in parts of the Red Lake sector along the Manitoba border, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s website.

There was one active fire in the northwest reported burning north of Thunder Bay near Lake Nipigon.

While there were no restricted fire zones as of Sunday, the public was being urged to use caution when performing any outdoor burning.

“In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill,” the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services said.

If you must burn, it advised that you follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations. 

(You may also be subject to local fire regulations and may require a burning permit depending on where you live.)

To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, dial 310-FIRE. To report a forest fire located south of the French or Mattawa rivers, dial 911.