In what may be a sign of good news on the forest fire front, no new fires were reported in Ontario's northeast region on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Environment Canada was issuing a special weather statement for heavy rainfall for much of central Ontario over the coming days, which covers the southern part of the forest fire region.
There were currently 28 active fires in the region as of Sunday night, according to Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services for the Northeast Fire Region.
Wawa 3, a 6,678-hectare fire near White River, is now being held, the AFFES says.
Others being held include Sudbury 15 at 3.4 hectares and Sault Ste. Marie 4 at 14 hectares.
Four fires are out since yesterday: Sault Ste. Marie 7, Sault Ste. Marie 5, Hearst 4 and Chapleau 9.
Fires currently under control include Sudbury 16 at 14.1 hectares, Cochrane 3 at 80 hectares, Wawa 2 at 105 hectares, Sault Ste. Marie 3 at 2.8, Sault Ste. Marie 6 at 4 hectares, Cochrane 8 at 35 hectares, Cochrane 10 at 1 hectare.
Up to a dozen large fires are currently not yet under control, including Kirkland Lake 5 at 2,300 hectares, Timmins 7 at 149 hectares, Cochrane 7 at 10,395 hectares, Cochrane 6 at 1,239 hectares, Cochrane 5 at 11 hectares, Hearst 5 at 90 hectares, Sudbury 19 at 435 hectares, Sudbury 17 at 5,277 hectares, Sudbury 10 at 1,082 hectares, Chapleau 6 at 1,228 hectares, and Chapleau 3 at 3,916 hectares.
AFFES made special note of the following three fires:
- Sudbury 17 (near Massey) which began June 4, is not yet under control and is 5,277 hectares in size. "Fire crews are allocated to this fire. Helicopter bucket operations took place yesterday to work priority areas on the fire. Values protection established on nearby locations."
- Timmins 7 is currently sized at 149 hectares west of Mattagami First Nation and is currently not under control. "Heavy equipment in effect around fire perimeter."
- Kirkland Lake 5 is currently sized at 2,300 hectares and not under control north of Lady Evelyn Lake. "Value assessment and protection is ongoing. Suppression efforts continued yesterday with air attack working priority areas on the fire."
There may be some relief on the way for fire crews as Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for heavy rain that covers North Bay, Parry Sound, Algonquin Park, and much of central Ontario.
Further north, the Sault, Sudbury, Elliot Lake and Timmins all have some rain and cooler weather in the forecast into Monday evening.
A restricted fire zone that was implemented on June 1 remains in effect, meaning no outdoor burning and no fire permits being issued. There are also travel restrictions in some areas.
For a closer look at fire hazard conditions in Ontario, view this Interactive Map.