Seventeen new wildfires are burning in Northwestern Ontario as evacuations continue for thousands of people living in remote and rural areas of the province.

       There are now 148 active fires burning, with 44 of those not under control, 12 being held, 27 under control and 65 being monitored.

       The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says the forest-fire hazard is “high” with “extreme areas” in Kenora, Dryden, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay and Red Lake.

       A moderate to low hazard is in Nipigon and the eastern part of Sioux Lookout.

       In the northeast part of Ontario, no new fires have been discovered, keeping the current number of burning blazes at nine, with only two under control and seven being observed.

       The fire hazard in the northeast is low to moderate across the region.

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