Currently, there are 110 active wildfires in the northwestern region of Ontario, as reported on Tuesday night by Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire, and Emergency Services (AFFES). Out of these, 11 fires are not yet under control, six are being held, 10 are under control, and the rest are being monitored.
Five new fires were confirmed in the northwest on Tuesday evening:
– Thunder Bay 79 (THU079) is situated near Dog Lake, approximately 18 kilometers west of Highway 527. This fire, covering 0.1 hectares, is under control.
– Thunder Bay 80 (THU080) is located south of Athelstane Lake, around 24 kilometers west of Highway 17. The fire spans 0.1 hectares and is not under control.
– Fort Frances 65 (FOR065) is positioned in Quetico Park near Baird Lake, approximately three kilometers southeast of McDougall Lake. This fire, covering 0.3 hectares, is being held.
– Kenora 29 (KEN029) is situated south of Moth Lake, around two kilometers south of Highway 17. The fire spans 1.5 hectares and is not under control.
– Dryden 62 (DRY062) is located on an island on Sturgeon Lake, near East Bay. This fire, covering 0.1 hectares, is under control.
The forest fire hazard in northwestern Ontario is mostly rated as low to moderate, but there are notable high hazard areas across the southwestern parts, including Thunder Bay and Kenora districts.
Mike Harris, the Minister of Natural Resources, mentioned that Ontario has been facing various complex fires in recent weeks, especially in the Quetico area, along the Canada-U.S. border, and in Wabakimi, north of Lake Nipigon, following a significant lightning storm. Harris highlighted the collaborative efforts of over 150 Ontario fire crews and nearly 100 aircraft, including helicopters and water bombers, working closely with partners from Canada and North America.
As the situation evolves, some partner resources are expected to return to their home regions. Evacuation orders and alerts are in place for several areas, and ongoing support is being provided to impacted communities. Additionally, the province has implemented a restricted fire zone in northwestern and northeastern Ontario, prohibiting open-air burning.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is enhancing its firefighting capabilities with additional resources and personnel, including new waterbombers and helicopters. They are also conducting reviews to enhance future response strategies. Evacuation orders and alerts are continuously monitored, and residents are advised to follow safety instructions and official updates.