16 new forest fires reported in the region

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

**************************** Tuesday, August 23 saw the start of 16 new fires in Ontario.

The number of active fires across the province has climbed back to 95.

There have been over 1,000 confirmed fires in Ontario during the 2011 fire season. 

Ontario appreciates the support of resources from other parts of Canada. 

Assistance, in the form of fire fighters, equipment and aircraft has come from the United States, several provinces and Parks Canada. 

There are no resources moves planned for today. 

Four fires were reported on August 23.

- Hearst 14 - human caused - being held - 1.0 hectare - north of Opisatika near Burritt Lake

- North Bay 51 - lightning caused - out - 0.1 hectares - northeast of North Bay near Garrow Lake

- Algonquin Park 7 - human caused - out - 0.1 hectares - on an island on Opeongo Lake

- Sudbury 81 - human caused - under control - 0.4 hectares - north of Georgian Bay near Tyson Lake

No new fires were reported by the evening of August 24.

There are an additional 10 active fires in the region. 

A cluster of nine fires are located in Cochrane district, lightning caused, and are being observed around the border of James Bay.

The remaining fire is in Sudbury district, human caused, and is under control at 12.0 hectares.

It is located in the Kukagami Lake Road area.

The fire hazard is moderate in the far north of the region, but drops to low in the south.

Although precipitation and rain is forecasted across most of the region tomorrow, intense lightning activity is also occurring and dryer pockets may produce new fires.

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