Forest fires are threatening another remote First Nations community.

Preparations are taking place to evacuate residents of Sandy Lake as the Ministry of Natural Resources forest fire crews battle a 728-hectare fire nearby.

The Ministry states that boats are being mobilized and will be used to shuttle residents away when necessary.

Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media that Canadian Armed Forces aircraft and personnel have been deployed to airlift people out of the community.

Sprinklers and hose lines are being installed to protect structures in case the fire spreads closer.

Deer Lake is also affected by the same fire, with its residents leaving a week ago.

There are 26 active fires in northwestern Ontario at various stages.

Seven are listed as not under control.

Six new fires were reported on Saturday.

One new blaze sparked about 30 kilometres southeast of Wunnumin Lake First Nation.

It has scorched 700 hectares and remains not under control.

Another located near Weecogameeng Lake is 800 hectares in size and burns 13 kilometres east of Cat Lake First Nation.

A fire near Gallivan Lake, 60 kilometres southwest of Weagamow First Nation and another 75 kilometres southwest of Weagamow Lake First Nation have burned 20 and 70 hectares respectively, but no suppression efforts are immediately planned.

Smaller fires were also reported east of White Otter Lake, 30 kilometres north of Atikokan and west of Long Lake near Geraldton.

The Ministry also reports progress on other large fires, including that identified as Kenora 20, west of that city and near Caribou Lake which are both listed as being held.