Brown now officially City's CAO

Karen Brown is now officially Kenora's Chief Administrative Officer.

Brown has been on the job as the city's top civil servant since August 1st of last year, but her probation period has just been completed.

Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield says three members of city council did a performance review and it was agreed that Brown has been doing a good job as the city's administrator.

Brown replaced long time CAO Bill Presentanz last summer.

Four weather records set

It was a record setting day across northwestern Ontario.

A number of communities across the region set temperature records.

In Kenora, the thermometer hit 33.1 degrees, breaking a 71 year old record.

The previous high for July 19th was 30.6.

Red Lake was the hot spot in northwestern Ontario, with the temperature topping

out at 35.2, smashing the previous record by three degrees.

Discovery Center almost ready to open

Tourism Kenora is getting ready to move into its new digs.

This week is moving week.

Tourism Development Officer, Heather Paterson says the old tourism office on Highway 17 east has been closed down

as the city prepares to open the new Discovery Center on Cameron Bay.

That facility is scheduled to officially supposed to open its doors on Friday morning to the public.

The grand opening is expected to take place sometime in September.

Health Unit Issues Smoke Advisory

With all the smoke this week caused by forest fires burning in the far north, the Northwest Health Unit has come out with an advisory for local residents.

The Health Unit says the young, the elderly, pregnant women, people with heart or lung problems, and people doing strenuous exercise are at the greatest risk.

If the smokey conditions prevail, the Health Unit suggests local residents stay indoors, and remain inactive and keep their windows and doors closed.

If you begin to feel unwell, you should contact your health care provider.

Conditions in Red Lake, Thunder Bay and Dryden are said to be very bad today.

Clement to meet with Fire Evacuees

FedNor Minister Tony Clement is in Dryden this morning to meet with volunteers, firefighters and evacuees affected by wildfires raging in the area.

Clement will be joined by Kenora MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Affairs Greg Rickford.

The two will be at the Dryden Airport at 10 o'clock.

Burning Permits in the City Suspended

The hot dry conditions are causing concern for Kenora's Fire and Emergency Services.

It's forced officials to suspend all burning permits within the city citing unusually dry conditions.

The burning ban won't be lifted until the situation improves.

Premier urges residents to be careful with fire

Forest fires in northwestern Ontario have forced evacuations in several communities.

Premier Dalton McGuinty is urging those venturing into Ontario forests to be careful.

 More than 115 forest fires are raging across northwestern Ontario, and thousands of residents are in immediate danger from the growing flames and dense smoke.

Communities Looking for Help with Evacuees

Forest fires in northwestern Ontario have communities scrambling

to find accommodation for thousands of people who may have to be evacuated.

Thunder Bay wants Queen's Park to get involved in the evacuation and help with the temporary housing needed for up to 7-thousand evacuees.

Timmins and Sudbury have agreed to take in evacuees.

Some have already gone to Wawa, Sioux Lookout, Kapuskasing, Matachewan and Greenstone.

NAN Urges Governments to Commit more resources to Evacuations

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is asking the Provincial and Federal Governments to commit all available emergency resources to help First Nations threatened by forest fires.

Beardy wants Ottawa to ensure that enough aircraft are available to evacuate the communities at a moment's notice.

More than 115 forest fires are raging across Northwestern Ontario, and Beardy says thousands of residents are in immediate danger from the growing flames and dense smoke.

As many as 200 residents of Keewaywin First Nation were evacuated to Winnipeg on Monday evening after 197 residents were evacuated Sunday.

76-residents of Cat Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Dryden and 170 residents of North Spirit Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Greenstone.

About 750 residents of Sandy Lake First Nation have been evacuated to Thunder Bay, and 230 residents of Kingfisher Lake First Nation are on standby for evacuation.

A total of 46-hundred people have already been evacuated and more are expected in the coming days.

Beady is also asking the Province to declare a state of emergency so that all necessary resources can be directed to protect the health and safety of the residents of the effected communities.