The battle to contain forest fires in the Northwest Region continues.

As of Wednesday, officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) report 97 active fires with 39 that are deemed not under control.

There are also four new fires in the Thunder Bay sector including Thunder Bay 73, located near Pearl.

The province issued an Emergency Area Order for all of Northwestern Ontario on Wednesday, which will the MNRF to take special measures to ensure the safety of people and the protection of critical property.

The outdoor fire ban also remains in effect.

 

With files from Kevin Jeffrey and Mike Ebbeling