THUNDER BAY — The Civic Holiday weekend saw more than two dozen new wildfire outbreaks occur in Northwestern Ontario.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reported eight new fires on Monday, four on Sunday,  and 14 on Saturday,

The largest of the new outbreaks was a 100-hectare blaze in the ministry's Nipigon fire district, about 50 kilometres northwest of Webequie.

Others included a 60-hectare  fire about 40 km southwest of Nibinamik First Nation, and a 30-hectare outbreak 40 km east of Kasabonika First Nation.

All three fires are under observation at this time.

As of Monday evening there were 53 active fires in the Northwest Region, of which 10 were not under control, 30 were being observed, and six were being held.

Seven fires were considered under control.

According to the MNRF, the forest fire hazard is currently high across much of the southern portion of Northwestern Ontario, and moderate to low farther north.