Local forestry crews have confirmed two large forest fires burning near the community of Kingfisher Lake First Nation.
Staff with the Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry say five new fires were confirmed in the area on June 21, with about 450 hectares burned near the community so far.
Sioux Lookout Fire #47 was located 37 kilometres west of Kingfisher Lake at 53 hectares and is being observed at this time.
Sioux Lookout Fire #48 was found about 57 kilometres northwest of the community at 400 hectares and is being observed.
Kingfisher Lake has a registered population of about 500 members, about 350 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.
Elsewhere in the region, crews also confirmed Sioux Lookout Fire #46 near Gull Lake, Dryden Fire #21 near Amik Lake, Nipigon Fire #23 near Shamrock Lake and Kenora Fire #25 near Clay Lake.
At this time, the MNRF is reporting 38 active fires in the region, with 11 of them not under control. The wildland fire hazard is listed as extreme with a small section of low to moderate in the far north.