Out-of-control fire rages southeast of Cobalt, Ont.

What was a 164-hectare fire is now 134 acres, and is burning three kilometres southeast of Cobalt near the east shore of Kerr Lake, the province’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says.

 “A team of ground crews and aerial fire suppression aircraft … Services remain on the scene of North Bay 5 at the time of this update,” the organization said.

“It is currently not under control. Please remain clear of the area to ensure the safety of the public and emergency personnel.”

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Officials told CTV News' Eric Taschner that three fire crews are working on North Bay 5, with another five crews on the way. 

Evan Lizotte, MNRF fire information officer, said while still out of control, conditions are improving.

“Yesterday was a lot more smoky and the fire behaviour was a little more intense,” Lizotte told CTV.

“We just ask that individuals to please stay clear from the area to ensure their safety and the safety of our personnel.”

A 164-hectare fire is burning three kilometres southeast of Cobalt near the east shore of Kerr Lake, the province’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says. (Photos courtesy of Richard J. Morrow)

A 164-hectare fire is burning three kilometres southeast of Cobalt near the east shore of Kerr Lake, the province’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services says. (Photos courtesy of Richard J. Morrow)Mayor Angela Adshead told CTV News anchor Ian Campbell that there’s a good chance the town will be OK.

“They sent some crews in,” Adshead said.

“There’s no risk to Cobalt at this time. We’re continuing to monitor the situation and the wind direction. As far as we can tell from the forecast, we should be OK.”

Both Colbalt and nearby Coleman are under a complete fire ban.

Up-to-date wildfire information can be found here.

In addition to Cobalt, there were seven wildland fires confirmed in the Northeast Region by the late afternoon of May 23:

Chapleau 3 is a 0.2-hectare fire that is not under control and is located approximately 1 kilometre southwest of Beaverflood Lake in Vimy Lake Uplands Conservation Reserve.

Kirkland Lake 1 is located approximately 12 kilometres east of Englehart. It is a 0.7-hectare fire that was confirmed this afternoon. It is located near the intersection of Allen Rd and Concession 4 Ingram. It is not under control. There is 1 crew committed to this fire.

North Bay 4 is a 0.4-hectare fire that is not under control and located approximately 1 kilometre northeast of Jocko Rivers Provincial Park.

North Bay 5 is 164-hectare fire located 3 kilometres southeast of the community of Cobalt near the east shore of Kerr Lake. It is currently not under control.

Sudbury 10 is a two-hectare fire located six kilometres east of Nairn Centre on the south shore of the Spanish River. This fire is not under control and is receiving aerial suppression.

Timmins 3 is located at the southeast corner of Lower Opikinimika Lake. This seven-hectare fire is not under control.

Timmins 4 is located at the south end of Ellery Lake near Dana-Jowsey Lakes Provincial Park. This fire is 0.1 hectares in size and is not under control.

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As of Friday afternoon, the fire hazard is low across most of the Northeast Region except for a band stretching from Manitoulin to Parry Sound and extending north to Timmins and North Bay that ranges from high to extreme fire hazard.