Northwest forest fire threat may ease with rain

 A total of 28 new fires — mainly sparked by lightning — kept crews and water bombers busy in the northwest over the weekend, the Ministry of Natural Resources reports.

Most of the fires were reported to be in the Sioux Lookout district, with others in the Nipigon and Thunder Bay districts.

One fire being closely watched is a 1,500-hectare fire about 35 km away from Nibinamik First Nation (Summer Beaver).

The MNR said they're observing the blaze at this point, but sprinklers have been set up on cabins in the area.

Hot, dry, sunny weather has pushed the fire hazard to high across most of the region and extreme in the far north sectors, the ministry reports.

The hazard is moderate in the southwest sectors of Kenora and Fort Frances District and rain — with a risk of thunderstorms — was forecast to track across the central and southern portions of the region for Monday.

While the rains will lower the fire hazard in the northwest, the far north will remain in a high to extreme hazard.

Residents in organized municipalities are reminded to check with local officials for burning restrictions that may be in place in their areas.

Since April 1 there have been 135 fires burning an area of more than 2,100 hectares across the northwest, the MNR said.