Smoke from Kenora 51. Photo taken by Ontario Forest Fires on Sunday, August 15
Residents of Wabaseemoong First Nation are starting to return home after a voluntary evacuation.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says crews have been dismantling equipment that was set up to protect property in the community.
Officials say while Kenora Fire 51 is still out of control at 200,667 in size, the forecast calls for widespread rain over the next couple of days and fire behaviour has been minimal on the south and western portions of the blaze.
The fire accounts for 28% of all the fire activity in Ontario during what’s been a severe fire season.
A total of 716,458 hectares of land has so far been torched.
In the meantime, there were another seven wild fires Thursday bringing the total number of active fires to 100.
Sixteen are considered not under control, seven fires are being held, 14 are under control and 63 fires are being observed.
