Despite the continued heat wave across most of Ontario, the Ministry of Natural Resources is reporting that the forest fire situation is under control.

In the Northwest region, which includes Sault Ste. Marie, no new fires were reported Tuesday.

Currently, there are five active fires in the region and of those, four are being observed and one is under control.

The forest fire hazard remains listed as low to moderate across the region.

In the northwest fire region, only one active lightning-caused fire in the Kenora District is being observed.

Officials say that fire is smouldering and serving to renew the ecosystem in the conservation reserve on Lake of the Woods.

The forest fire hazard remains low in the far north and moderate to high in the south and central sectors of the region. It’s expected to rise with warmer, drier weather in the forecast.

Meanwhile Ontario’s MNR is continuing to help other jurisdiction fight their forest fires.

Currently, 139 aviation and fire management personnel have been deployed to Idaho and Montana.

Two CL-415 heavy water bombers and one birddog aircraft are also on assignment in Idaho with 18 personnel.

In Montana, 121 people have been deployed including air support group supervisors, fire crews, helibase managers and division supervisors. Two CL-415 heavy water bombers and one birddog aircraft are also being used in that jurisdiction.

Closer to home, Ontario is continuing to supply equipment to Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

To date this year, there have been 594 fires reported, burning 39,374 hectares of forest in Ontario.

Last year, during the same period, 295 fires were reported, burning only 5,386 hectares of forest.

The 10-year average for the province is 942 fires, burning 105,014 hectares of forest.

Forest fires can be reported by calling 310-FIRE (3473).