Northwestern Ontario is currently facing a total of 95 active wildfires, as reported by Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) on Thursday night. Among these, 11 fires are not yet under control, five are being held, 10 are under control, and the remaining fires are under observation.
Recent reports show the emergence of two new fires in the northwest region. The first, Fort Frances 67 (FOR067), is situated northeast of McIntyre Lake near Marj Lake and covers 1.4 hectares. The second, Nipigon 98 (NIP098), is located northeast of Clear Lake, around 14 kilometers north of Highway 17, spanning 0.1 hectares.
While most of northwestern Ontario has a low to moderate forest fire hazard, parts of the southwestern region, including the Thunder Bay and Kenora districts, are experiencing significant areas with high fire hazard levels.
Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, Mike Harris, mentioned during a recent press conference that the province has been battling several challenging fires over the past month. Notably, fires in the Quetico area, along the Canada-U.S. border, and in Wabakimi north of Lake Nipigon have posed significant challenges following a large lightning storm in the region.
Harris emphasized the collaborative efforts of over 150 Ontario fire crews, supported by nearly 100 aircraft, including helicopters and water bombers. As the situation evolves, some resources may be redirected back to their home regions.
Highlighted Fires in the Area
- The Rinker Complex: Comprising Thunder Bay 36, Dryden 34, and Dryden 35, this remains a focal point for firefighting efforts in the region. Thunder Bay 36 spans 301,240 hectares, while Dryden 34 covers 45,800 hectares and Dryden 35 extends over 31,478 hectares. Evacuation orders are still in effect for affected areas.
- Atikokan Cluster: Fort Frances 13, 14, and 15 are also actively burning and not yet under control. These fires cover areas of 25,279 hectares, 51,768 hectares, and 42,273 hectares, respectively, with evacuation orders and alerts in place.
Current Evacuation Status
As of the latest update, 14 communities have been evacuated, with six communities having residents return home and one community in the process of facilitating return. Approximately 1,150 evacuees are currently hosted in various communities across the province.
The Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response, represented by Jill Dunlop at the press conference, has been actively engaged in coordination efforts with stakeholders and communities.
Evacuation Orders and Alerts
The province maintains evacuation orders and alerts near specific fire zones, with instructions for residents under each category to ensure their safety.
- Evacuation orders or alerts are currently active for areas near Thunder Bay 36 & 56 and Dryden 34 & 35, while restrictions have been lifted for Fort Frances 14 and evacuation alerts are in place for Fort Frances 15 & 38.
Residents under evacuation orders must vacate the area, while those under alerts are advised to prepare for potential evacuation.
Efforts are ongoing to assess property damage, with impacted property owners encouraged to seek support and information through established channels.
Public safety and infrastructure restoration initiatives are underway, with various agencies and stakeholders collaborating to address the evolving situation.
The province has also implemented a restricted fire zone in northwestern and northeastern Ontario, prohibiting open-air burning activities to mitigate fire risks.
Updates to implementation orders and NOTAMs have been issued for specific fire zones, reflecting the changing status of firefighting operations and safety provisions.
Highway closures due to wildfire activity have been reported, with authorities urging residents to prioritize safety and adhere to emergency directives.
Canada Post Service Alerts
Mail delivery has been impacted in several communities due to wildfire-related disruptions, with service suspensions in place for affected regions.
New Fires in the Northeast
Recent reports confirm two new fires in the northeast region, with ongoing monitoring and firefighting efforts in place to manage the situation.
The ministry has allocated additional resources and funding to bolster firefighting capabilities and support personnel, emphasizing proactive measures