There has been an increase in lightning-caused fires in Timmins, Cochrane and Wawa, according to Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES).
While the fire activity in the past couple of days has been quiet, the group expects it to become more active.
Since the forest fire activity in the northeast region started, the group has been sending out daily updates.
Yesterday, three new forest fires started in the region.
Those are: North Bay 97 about nine kilometres northwest of River Valley, North Bay 98 west of Highway 805 and northeast of Sturgeon River Provincial Park, and Kirkland Lake 10 northwest of Gem Lake Maple Bedrock Provincial Park, which was two hectares yesterday.
Incident management teams are managing three priority fires in the River Valley cluster, Lake Temagami cluster and Lady Evelyn cluster.
In Temagami, the AFFES says the steep rocky terrain has been challenging for firefighters.
“Good progress is being made on many fires in this cluster and it is expected that more fires will be called out in the coming days,” reads the news release.
For the Lady Evelyn-area fires, 16 crews from across the country are working to contain North Bay 72.
Yesterday, the AFFES said crews had successful burn-out operations, which is fighting fire with fire.
“This operation removed available forest fuel and effectively contained that section of the fire. Heavy helicopters bucketed water on the north end of the fire, assisting crews on the ground,” reads the statement.
Resources, including manpower and equipment, have been brought in from across the country to help battle fires in the northeast region. Yesterday, it was expected that a 20-person sustained attack crew from Minnesota would be landing in Ontario.
Up to now, these resources have been used in the northeast region.
With lightning starting to impact the northwest region of the province, the AFFES says the resources will be used in priority areas throughout the province.
To date in Ontario, according to the AFFES there have been 670 forest fires burning almost 115,866 hectares this year.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were 53 active forest fires in the northeast region. Of those, 22 were not under control, with 31 being held, under control of being observed.
“Of note, we are now well beyond the 10-year average statistically for number of fires on this date, and number of hectares burned: which shows 422 forest fires having burned just over 98,987 hectares,” reads an AFFES news release.
While there is a cold front passing through the region today, the AFFES notes that dry air will be moving its way into the northeast again and “cause the fire hazard to rise once again.”
