It’s a quieter start to this year’s forest fire season in northwestern Ontario but a smaller fire is burning close to a local First Nation community.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services Branch says Kenora Fire #1 was discovered near Wabaseemoong Independent Nation late yesterday.
Staff say at this time, the 0.2 hectare fire is considered not under control but it is being monitored.
Elsewhere, Fort Frances Fire #1 has been declared out near Little Pine Lake, about 50 km northwest of Fort Frances. The 0.9 hectare fire was found on April 30 and declared out later that evening.
Ministry officials note low humidity values and high winds in the area have resulted in high fire hazard conditions in the Kenora and Fort Frances areas, with low to moderate conditions elsewhere.
Residents are reminded to always follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations and to always have tools to extinguish fires when burning.
As well, fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.
