Fire potential high across the province, warns MNR

Excellent fire ignition potential exists across most of the province today, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, although the ministry has not imposed any fire bans, nor has the City of Greater Sudbury.

Lightning strikes in central northern Ontario could result in new lightning fires, according to the MNR. The fire hazard will be greatest in the Far North of the northwest region and north of Lake Huron in the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury districts.

A total of 10 new forest fires were confirmed in Ontario on July 9, six of them in the northwest region and four in the northeast region. FireRangers encountered no major control issues with any new or existing fires. There are currently 23 active fires in the province, according to the MNR.

One new fire was confirmed July 9 in the Parry Sound area. Parry Sound 22 is currently one hectare in size.

On July 8, one new fire was confirmed in the northeast region, making it the 350th fire of the season for the northeast. Sudbury 64 was confirmed at 0.1 hectares west of Sudbury and is now out.

Temperatures will continue to stay elevated while humidity will fall in some areas today. Weather conditions of 30 degree C are likely for many parts of the northwest region, while the northeast region will feature temperatures in the 23-25 degree range.

There is little precipitation expected for most of the province in the near-term forecast, although daytime heating makes thunderstorms a possibility.

Almost the entire province is lightning-receptive at the current time, according to the MNR, and any thunderstorm activity is likely to yield new fires.

As hazard remains high and continues to build into the extreme range across the region, a reminder to take extreme care and caution when doing any outdoor activities. 

Posted by Arron Pickard