Authorities fear a raging forest fire in northeast Ontario that's blanketing the Timmins area with smoke and ash could force more evacuations unless the powerful winds fuelling the flames die down. More than 200 people have already been forced from their homes The Ministry of Natural Resources estimates the size of the blaze at 315-square kilometres.

Kirkland Lake, 140 kilometres southeast of Timmins, also remains on high evacuation alert while fire crews tackle the remnants of a wildfire that threatened the town.

The M-N-R says about 13 hundred personnel are battling the fires -- including 102 from outside the province. Fifteen waterbombers, four Twin Otter aircraft and 56 helicopters are being used in the battles.