Fire officials were reporting just one new wildfire in the northeastern Ontario fire region on Sunday, with 19 active fires burning, down from a high of 30 active fires two weeks ago.
While there may be fewer fires, parts of the northeast are experiencing heavy smoke due to a large number of fires in the northwestern Ontario and Quebec, fire officials said.
The problems appear to be east of Elliot Lake with smoke drift travelling as far as north of Timmins, down through Sudbury and past Parry Sound, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services said in its latest update.
Meanwhile, restrictions put in place in the wake of the fires remain as is.
Travel restrictions are in place in the Sudbury, Hearst-Cochrane-Kapuskasing, and Chapleau-Wawa districts.
A restricted fire zone implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on June 1 is still in effect, meaning no open-air burning is allowed, including campfires.
The AFFES said forestry staff will be on the lookout for 'lightning fires' on the forest floor that may be smouldering since periods of earlier rainfall and could flare up when dry, warm conditions return.
The AFFES said Sunday that the fire hazard is moderate from North Bay to Pembroke. From Parry Sound going north, the hazard was deemed high to extreme. For a closer look at fire hazard conditions, view this Interactive Map.
The region's new fire, Cochrane 13, was confirmed this afternoon. The 1-hectare fire is on an island on the Attawapiskat River, 0.6 km east of the town of Attawapiskat.
Following are details on other fires of note, according to the AFFES:
- Chapleau 3 was confirmed on June 1. It is a 3,916 hectare wildland fire located 2 km south of October Lake and 2.5 km west of Vichaw Lake. It is not under control.
- Chapleau 6 was confirmed on June 4. It is a 1,228 hectare wildland fire located 2.5 km west of Morin Lake and 1 km east of Bolkow Lake. It is not under control.
- Cochrane 6 was confirmed June 2. It is a 1,239 hectare wildland fire located 9 km west of Lake Abitibi and 1 km east of Marathon Lake. It is not under control. This fire is holding along cat guards, roads, and natural boundaries.
- Cochrane 7 was confirmed on June 2. It is a 10,719 hectare wildland fire is located northeast of Lake Abitibi and 7 km southwest of Joe Lake. It is not under control. Heavy equipment continues to be utilized to aid in suppression efforts.
- Kirkland Lake 5 was confirmed on June 7. It is a 2,300 hectare wildland fire located north of Lady Evelyn Lake. It is not under control. Helicopters have them assigned the fire.
- Sudbury 10 was confirmed on June 2. It has been remapped to 1,370 hectares and is located 3 km west of Fox Lake and 5 km east of Acheson Lake. It is not under control.
- Sudbury 17 was confirmed June 4. It is a 5,857 hectare wildland fire located 3 km west of Madawanson Lake and 0.5 km east of Pilot Lake. Multiple crews are committed to the fire. It is not under control.
- Sudbury 19 was confirmed on June 4. It is a 459 hectares wildland fire located south of Shakwa Lake and 1 km west of Lower Shakwa Lake. It is being held.
- Timmins 7 was confirmed on June 4. It is a 149 hectare wildland fire located 0.3 km northeast of Ahsine Lake. It is not under control. Crews are working on the east flank of the fire.
- Wawa 3 was confirmed on May 27. It is a 6,678 hectare wildland fire located south of Trent Lake and Round Lake, and 5 km northwest of Duffy Lake. It is being held.