Just one new wildland fire was confirmed in northwestern Ontario on Friday.
The Ministry of Natural Resources said the fire is located about 3.5 kilometres north of Poplar Hill First Nation.
It was four hectares in size and listed as not under control as of Friday evening.
“FireRanger crews and two waterbombers with a birddog have been actioning the fire through this afternoon and evening,” MNR said in its daily update on Friday.
There were 22 active fires across the region as of Friday evening — four are not under control, five are under control and 13 are being observed.
Fires of note
Red Lake 12 near Deer Lake First Nation and Sandy Lake First Nation saw increased fire activity on Friday, according to officials, with “torching and some intermittent crowning” in interior areas.
There are 28 firefighting crews on the southern and eastern perimeters of the fire, which has burned more than 194,000 hectares.
“Crews are supported by 18 helicopters, including four heavy helicopters with increased bucketing capacity,” MNR said, noting they focused on areas with higher fire behaviour.
Sioux Lookout 18 near Cat Lake First Nation measures more than 23,000 hectares and continues to show “minimal” fire behaviour, said MNR.
FireRanger crews have been patrolling the east flank, up to 400 feet into the perimeter.
Equipment slinging operations continued Friday on the west flank as fire worked with helicopters to bring equipment to Cat Lake First Nation Airport.
Officials said smoke from a nearby fire — Sioux Lookout 30 — was visible in the community on Friday afternoon, noting the blaze is being observed.
The wildland fire hazard is primarily low to moderate in the southern parts of the Thunder Bay and Nipigon sectors but increases moving north and west.
There are areas of extreme hazard in the Far North, particularly in the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout sectors.