Forest fire activity continues across northwestern Ontario, with 45 active fires reported in the region as of Sunday evening. Dry conditions and recent lightning strikes have led to several new starts, particularly in far northern areas.

New fires confirmed on July 6 include:

• Red Lake 79 near Throat River (0.1 hectares), not under control.
  
• Sioux Lookout 49 on a peninsula of North Caribou Lake (0.2 hectares), not under control.
  
• Sioux Lookout 48 near Misiwaweywa Lake (1 hectare), not under control.
  
• Red Lake 78 south of Musclow Lake in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park (0.4 hectares), being observed.
  

Two additional fires from July 5 were also confirmed:

• Thunder Bay 22 on Wabakimi Lake (2 hectares), being observed.
  
• Thunder Bay 21 near Caribou Lake was extinguished at 0.2 hectares.
  

 The Red Lake 12 fire, burning near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations, is now classified as Being Held at 195,670 hectares.

Eighteen firefighting crews are working in three divisions on the perimeters, supported by seven helicopters conducting water drops.

Ground crews are extinguishing hotspots and beginning to demobilize equipment in secured areas. Logistics teams are moving fire gear out of the communities over the next few days.

Overall fire status in the region:

• 12 fires are not under control
  
• 1 fire is being held
  
• 7 fires are under control
  
• 25 fires are being observed
  
• 4 fires were declared out on Sunday