TORONTO - More than 150 northwestern Ontario residents who were forced out of their homes by a rash of forest fires in the area have returned to their community.
But thousands of people remain displaced as crews continue to battle the blazes.
Officials say 153 members of the Mishkeegogamang First Nation, which is accessible by road, returned home by bus.
Deputy Minister of Community Safety Ian Davidson says members of the First Nation made the decision to return themselves, but the ministry was "reasonably satisfied" it was safe to do so.
There are still 3,438 evacuees waiting for the smoke to clear up so that they can also return home.
Officials say there have been three new fires in the last 24 hours, bringing the total of active fires to 116.
