Six new forest fires reported in northeastern Ont.

There were six new wildland fires confirmed in the northeast region by Monday evening, Ontario Forest Fires said in its daily report, bringing the total to 15 active fires in the region.

The new fires include Haliburton 36, which is 0.5 hectares and is located just east of Irvine Lake, about 5.8 kilometres west of Highway 400, and one kilometre north of Go Home Lake. The fire is being held.

Haliburton 37 is 1.4 hectares and is located 0.25 kilometres southwest of Way Lake, and approximately one kilometre north of Harvey Lake. The fire is not under control.

Haliburton 38 is 0.2 hectares and is located approximately 3.7 kilometres southeast of Dividing Lake, and 1.2 kilometres northwest of Cross Corner Lake. The fire is not under control.

Haliburton 39 is 3.1 hectares and is located approximately 0.5 kilometres north of Highway 19, and two kilometres east of Highway 13. Air Attack was conducted on this fire Monday afternoon.

“We ask that the public stay clear of the area to allow ample of room for emergency response vehicles and staff to conduct operations safely,” the release said.

“The fire is not under control.”

North Bay 38 is 0.5 hectares and is located on a peninsula on the west side of Breeches Lake, approximately 0.8 kilometres south of Anima Nipissing Lake, and 0.9 kilometres east of Mannajigama Lake. The fire is not under control.

North Bay 39 is 0.9 hectares and is located on the southside of Fraser Island on Lake Nipissing. The fire is not under control.

Total of 15 active fires

“At the time of this update, there are 15 active wildland fires in the northeast region,” the release said.

“Seven of these fires are not under control, three are being held and five are under control.”

Areas east and south of Kirkland Lake and Espanola are experiencing mainly a high to extreme fire hazard. Areas north and west have a low to high hazard.

“Wildland fires can affect communities when they occur in or near wildland-urban interfaces (neighbourhoods near forested areas),” the release said.

You can obtain tips and information from the FireSmart program on how to protect your property from wildland fires at this link.

“Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind the public to use caution when performing any outdoor burning,” the release said.

“In order to dispose of yard waste and woody debris, we encourage you to use methods such as composting or using your local landfill. If you must burn, follow Ontario’s Outdoor Burning Regulations.”

Those rules include that fires are to be ignited no sooner than two hours before sunset and are to be extinguished no later than two hours after sunrise.

Always have tools/water adequate to contain the fire at the site. Know the rules for safe outdoor burning; consult the full set of Outdoor Burning Regulations.

To report a wildland fire located north of the French and Mattawa rivers, dial 310-FIRE. To report a wildland fire located south of the French or Mattawa Rivers, dial 911.

For more information about the current wildland fire situation, click here.