A Rainfall Warning for Red Lake and all of northwestern Ontario may help crews battling Red Lake Fire 49.
Environment Canada says 50-75 millimetres of rain may fall Friday afternoon and evening.
An evacuation order remains in place despite the fact excellent progress is being made on the 552 hectare blaze.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Information Officer Chris Marchand says concerns still remain.
“Potential for new lightning caused fires and hat will really depend on how patchy the evening’s rainfall was across the region. We’ll certainly be watching very closely for the effects of that lightning and responding quickly to any new fires that result once things start to dry out a bit.
Marchand says rain will help fire crews prevent the fire from spreading towards Red Lake and Highway 105.
“Up to 20 fire ranger crews continue to consolidate their hose lines on all sides of the fire. Heavy equipment continue to build fire lines on the south side of the fire and they were lucky enough to get some cloud cover in the afternoon (Thursday) which helped to reduce the fires activity.”
The MNRF has issued an Implementation Order in the area.
Non-essential personnel are now restricted from travel, use and access to the following areas; Starett-Olsen, Madsen, Red Lake, Balmertown, Cochenour, McKenzie Island, Highway 105 and Bug River, Highway 618 from the junction of Highway 105 as well as Highway 125 and all municipal roads and access roads off of Highway 125.
