The 2002 forest fire season is now officially over.
While the number of blazes recorded by the MNR in the Northwest Region remained about the same, the damage done was much higher.
The now past season saw crews respond to 646 fires compared to the 10 year average of 655.
However, more than 165,000 hectares of forests were consumed by the flames compared to just 6,200 in 2001.
The Ministry says most of this years starts were caused by lightening strikes although some were started by downed hydro lines too.