A bit of a reprieve this week for Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry fire crews.
A couple of days of rain has helped the fire situation.
There were four new starts Wednesday but all were small in size and pose no visible threat.
There are 114 active fires in the northwest region and 12 are listed as not under control.
Fires of Note:
Kenora 51
Recent rain is helping fire crews with the 200,667 hectare blaze burning 20 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong First Nation.
The fire area saw 25.8 millimetres of rain over a two day period which helped slow fire behaviour.
However, officials warn the precipitation wasn’t consistent across the fire area and recent lightning may result in new starts as conditions dry out.
Firefighters are concentrating on the fire’s edge while weather conditions permit and additional crews are being moved into strategic areas as they become available.
Red Lake 77
Recent showers amounted to between 12 to 20 millimetres but officials caution the rain was scattered across the fire area
The blaze is still considered not under control at 32,799 hectares in size and is burning 33 kilometres west of Red Lake.
There is smouldering with some open flame on the east side and crews continue to establish hose lines on the east edge of the fire.
Heli-buckets continue to target hot spot areas.
Red Lake 65/51
Red Lake 51, roughly 24 kilometres west of Deer Lake, is listed at 53,522 hectares.
Red Lake 65, about 6 kilometres west of Poplar Hill, is now 20,254 hectares in size.
For both fires, officials says crews continue to lay and work hose lines in key areas and the fires are smouldering with some visible smoke.
