Seven new forest fires reported across Northwestern Ontario

Seven new forest fires were reported in the region on Thursday, bringing the active total to 39.

In their daily update on Thursday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the wildfire hazard remains high to extreme across the region.

Two of the seven new fires reported had the ministry deploying waterbombers, with one about 70 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout and the other nearly 50 kilometres north of Dryden.

Of the 39 active fires, 12 are not under control, while five are under control, four fires are being held, and the remaining 18 are being observed.

Five fires had been declared out during the previous 24 hours.

A restricted fire zone implemented by the ministry earlier this month that restricts outdoor burning across the region remains in effect.