Fire crews continue to battle blaze near Kenora, Ont.

An aggressive attack on a large forest fire near Kenora, Ont. was effective, but crews will still be working on it for a while.

The fire grew under high winds on Saturday, but according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, it is not a threat to any community.

Ten fire ranger crews are committed to the fire, the ministry said, which burned a large area, at one point, burning down power lines and closing a road near Shoal Lake.

Fire information officer Deb MacLean said the fire, named Kenora Fire Number 28, is still smouldering.

"When you have 350 hectares of burning, smouldering forest, it does take a long time," she said.

"They have to establish hose lines around the fire, basically, break them into divisions."

MacLean said crews expect to be there for several days to deal with hot spots and to mop up.

Heading west

Meanwhile, the ministry has sent fire crews to help with a number of wildfires burning in western Canada.

Ontario has sent more than 70 people to the Yukon, and over 120 to Alberta, MacLean said, adding that it's part of a Canada-wide resource-sharing agreement.

"The mutual aid is really important in Canada," she explained.

"We're able to provide support when there's need elsewhere, and we have also benefited from crews coming in from across Canada and even the United States when we need it."

According to the ministry, there are currently six forest fires burning in northwestern Ontario. The forest fire hazard throughout the region ranges from moderate to high.