In northwestern Ontario, there are currently 110 active wildfires, as per the latest report released by Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) on Tuesday night. Among these, 11 wildfires are not under control, six are being held, 10 are under control, and the remaining are under observation.
Five new fires were confirmed on Tuesday evening in the northwest region:
– Thunder Bay 79 (THU079) is situated near Dog Lake, approximately 18 kilometers west of Highway 527. The 0.1-hectare fire is now under control.
– Thunder Bay 80 (THU080) is located south of Athelstane Lake, roughly 24 kilometers west of Highway 17. The 0.1-hectare fire is currently not under control.
– Fort Frances 65 (FOR065) is positioned in Quetico Park near Baird Lake, around three kilometers southeast of McDougall Lake. The fire measures 0.3 hectares and is being held.
– Kenora 29 (KEN029) is situated south of Moth Lake, approximately two kilometers south of Highway 17. The fire covers 1.5 hectares and is not under control.
– Dryden 62 (DRY062) is located on an island on Sturgeon Lake, near East Bay. The fire spans 0.1 hectares and is under control.
While the forest fire hazard is mainly low to moderate across northwestern Ontario, there are notable high-hazard zones in the southwestern parts of the region, particularly in the Thunder Bay and Kenora districts.
Mike Harris, the Minister of Natural Resources, mentioned during a press conference on Tuesday that Ontario has been tackling several challenging fires over the past month. These include complex fires in the Quetico area, along the Canada-U.S. border, and in Wabakimi north of Lake Nipigon, following a major lightning storm in the region. Harris highlighted the efforts of crews, pilots, emergency responders, and support staff in ensuring public safety.
Currently, more than 150 Ontario fire crews, backed by nearly 100 aircraft, including over 80 helicopters and water bombers, are actively engaged in firefighting operations. As the situation evolves, some partner resources are expected to return to their home regions, with some already redeployed from Alberta to British Columbia.
Notable fires in the region include:
– The Rinker Complex, comprising Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35, remains a significant firefighting operation. Thunder Bay 36 covers 301,240 hectares, while Dryden 34 and 35 span 45,800 and 31,478 hectares, respectively, and all three fires are not under control.
– The Atikokan Cluster, consisting of Fort Frances 13, 14, and 15, remains uncontrolled. These fires measure 25,279, 51,768, and 42,273 hectares, respectively, with an evacuation order in effect for Fort Frances 14.
As of Tuesday, approximately 1,150 individuals remain displaced, with 14 communities evacuated, six communities having returned home, and one community in the process of returning its members. Evacuation orders or alerts are still in place for several areas near active fires.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is taking extensive measures to combat the wildfires, including allocating an additional $650 million for the procurement of new firefighting assets and personnel. The ministry is also conducting a thorough review of its wildfire response for future enhancements.
In the northeast region, two new fires were reported on Tuesday evening, with 46 active wildfires currently being monitored. Forest fire danger ratings in northeastern Ontario are mostly low and moderate, with pockets of high hazard in certain areas.
Additionally, several highways are closed due to wildfire activities, and Canada Post has suspended mail delivery in select communities. The public is advised to stay away from affected areas, follow evacuation orders, and monitor official updates for safety instructions.
Efforts are ongoing to provide support to affected communities, including the distribution of essential supplies and resources to those impacted by the wildfires.