Wildfire activity continues to rise in northwestern Ontario, with 17 new fires confirmed Wednesday evening, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The new fires bring the total number of active fires in the region to 46.
Officials say most are small and scattered across the Red Lake, Dryden and Sioux Lookout districts.
However, one fire has grown significantly in size.
Red Lake Fire 62, located near Woodley Lake, has expanded to more than 200 hectares, according to the forest fire information map.
The fire is burning about 1.6 kilometres southwest of the Nungesser Road and roughly 53 kilometres north of the town of Red Lake.
It received air support from waterbombers. Dryden Fire 18, near Norm Lake, also received aerial suppression.
Other new fires include Red Lake Fires 58 to 69, which are located near Pikangikum, Cat Lake and North Spirit Lake First Nations.
Most are under 0.3 hectares and not under control. Dryden Fires 16 and 17 are also small and remain uncontrolled.
Red Lake Fire 59, northeast of Storey Lake, is being held, while Sioux Lookout Fire 41, on Heron Lake, is under control.
As of the latest update, 20 fires are not under control, four are being held, six are under control and 16 are being observed.
Fire hazard conditions remain high
The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme in the Kenora fire management area, with elevated conditions extending into Fort Frances, Dryden and the southern portions of the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout districts.
Conditions in the far north range from moderate to low.
The ministry is encouraging the public to check the Interactive Fire Map for the latest conditions in their area.
Notable wildfires
Red Lake Fire 12 remains the largest in the region at 195,670 hectares and is still not under control.
It is burning northeast of Sandy Lake, Deer Lake and Keewaywin First Nations. Fire behaviour remains low, and 23 crews are working the southern and eastern edges, supported by nine helicopters.
An overnight infrared scan identified heat along the western and northwest flanks near Finger Lake. Equipment is being demobilized in areas where suppression efforts have been successful, including in Sandy Lake First Nation.
Sioux Lookout Fire 18, near Cat Lake First Nation, is holding at 23,648 hectares and continues to show minimal activity.
Command of the fire has been returned to the Sioux Lookout Fire Management Headquarters.
Officials say several of the new fires in the area are likely holdovers from earlier lightning strikes, now surfacing as fuels dry out.
Officials continue to monitor conditions closely as hot, dry weather persists across parts of the region.