The high to extreme forest fire hazard is persisting throughout much of Northwestern Ontario.

Chris Marchand is an Information Officer with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

“Generally, it’s a busy time for firefighting in the region at the moment. Last week’s prolonged heat and low humidity values provided all the conditions you need to see lots of new fire starts daily on the landscape and fire rangers and firefighting aircraft have been busy responding.”

Fourteen new starts were reported Monday, 12 in the Red Lake District.

There are two clusters of multiple fires that started in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park.

There are 74 active fires and 23 are considered not under control across the region.

Marchand notes, “These fires are showing some extreme fire behaviour and producing large volumes of smoke that is drifting over the region. For example, Kenora 51 is now over 22 thousand hectares (in size).”

Marchand outlines some safety tips during this busy time.

“If a waterbomber looks as though it’s going to use the lake to scoop water, boaters should move off to the side. As well the use of drones is also prohibited in an active forest fire area to maintain the safety of the aircraft and the firefighters working.”

A restricted fire zone remains in effect for the western half of the region, meaning no outdoor burning.