Listen to this article
Estimated 7 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
There are 122 active wildfires across northwestern Ontario, according to the latest update from Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) issued on Tuesday evening.
Of these, 28 are not under control, five are being held, six are under control, and the rest are being observed.
There were 11 new fires confirmed in the northwest on Tuesday evening:
- Fort Frances 52 (FOR052) is located approximately half a kilometre east of Premier Lake Road, south of Durie Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is under control.
- Fort Frances 53 (FOR053) is located In Quetico Provincial Park, between Draper Lake and Walter Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is being held.
- Fort Frances 54 (FOR054) was located approximately eight kilometres east of Highway 502, between Little Sawbill Lake and Big Sawbill Lake. The fire was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Thunder Bay 65 (THU065) was located north of Highway 811 between Dog River Road and Rondeau Road. The fire was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Thunder Bay 66 (THU066) is located approximately two kilometres west of Highway 527, southwest of Swarbrick Lake. The 0.5-hectare fire is not under control.
- Thunder Bay 67 (THU067) is located approximately 18.5 kilometres west of Highway 527, south of Pantagruel Creek Provincial Park. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Dryden 50 (DRY050) and Dryden 51 (DRY051) are located south of Savant Lake, between Highway 599 and Barnard Lake. DRY050 is being held at 0.2 hectares. DRY051 was called out at 0.1 hectares.
- Dryden 52 (DRY052) is located east of Sunday Lake, approximately 1.3 kilometres southeast of Richan. The 0.3-hectare fire is not under control.
- Dryden 53 (DRY053) is located approximately 13 kilometres east of Dinorwic, north of Melgund Lake Road. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
- Nipigon 86 (NIP086) is located approximately 13 kilometres west of Highway 585, near the west side of Frazer Lake. The 0.1-hectare fire is not under control.
The largest wildfire in the region, known as Thunder Bay 36, remains out of control at almost 314,000 hectares. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is also in effect in the area.
A yellow heat warning was issued from the Manitoba border, south to the Canada-U.S. border, north to Deer Lake and east toward Quetico Park on Tuesday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada says conditions may continue into Thursday and possibly Friday, with daytime highs of 29 to 31 C, humidex values of 33 to 38, and nighttime lows of 16 to 20 C.
Evacuation, implementation orders
Evacuation orders or alerts remain in effect for areas near the following fires:
Those under evacuation orders are required to leave the area, while those under evacuation alerts are urged to prepare to evacuate.
The Ministry of Natural Resources’ Thunder Bay–Ignace District has invoked implementation orders near the following fires:
- Dryden 34 and 35.
- Fort Frances 14.
- Thunder Bay 36, 54 and 56.
Implementation orders limit people’s ability to travel in and around these fires.
Northwestern Ontario and a small portion of northeastern Ontario remain under a restricted fire zone, which means no open-air burning, including campfires, is allowed.
The forest fire hazard is mostly moderate across the northwest, with pockets of high hazard toward Kenora and Dryden.
Highway closures in effect
According to the province’s interactive highway map, the following roads are closed due to wildfire activity:
- All lanes are closed in both directions on Lac des Mille Lacs Road from Inwood Road to Highway 17.
- Highway 811 is closed, with the exception of local traffic evacuating the area.
- Highway 527 is closed in both directions between Tertiary Highway 811 and Armstrong.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) urge people for their safety and the safety of emergency responders to:
- Stay away from affected areas and refrain from attending wildfire scenes to take photos or videos.
- Remain calm and follow all evacuation orders and emergency instructions issued by local authorities.
- Avoid non-essential travel in affected areas.
- Monitor official sources for the latest information and evacuation updates.
- Remain away from evacuated areas until authorities have advised it is safe to return.
- Help keep roadways clear so emergency personnel can carry out their work safely and effectively.
- If evacuating, bring essential medications, identification, important documents, mobile devices and chargers and any items required to support family members and pets.
Canada Post red delivery service alerts
Mail delivery has been suspended in the following communities due to wildfire activity:
- Cat Lake (evacuation order).
- Gull Bay.
- Armstrong Station (evacuation order).
- Collins (evacuation order).
“Effective July 24, residents and businesses of Aroland (P0T 1B0), Cat Lake (P0V 1J0), Gull Bay (P0T 1P0), Armstrong Station (P0T 1A0) and Collins (P0T 3E0) receive free Mail Forwarding service for up to 12 months. Impacted residents have until Aug. 24 to register for the free service,” Canada Post said.
No new fires in the northeast
No new wildland fires were confirmed in the northeast on Tuesday.
There are currently 35 active wildfires in the northeast. Of these, two are being held, one is under control, and the rest are being observed.
Hazard levels range from low to moderate, with areas of high hazard near Sudbury and Elliot Lake.
Evacuee total now 2,835
There are now more than 2,835 wildfire evacuees from more than a dozen communities across the province, according to an update issued by Ontario’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Jill Dunlop, on Friday evening.
They are staying in eight official host communities.
There have been four Ontario Corps partners and 17 Ontario Corps volunteers sent to help. As well, the province said the following equipment/supplies have been provided:
- 312 air purifiers.
- 84 air filters.
- Five air scrubbers.
- 2,640 N-95 masks.
- 4,340 hygiene kits.
- 80 food hampers.
As part of these efforts, Feed Ontario and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres are shipping and distributing food to evacuees.
In addition, the Kaministiquia and Upsala fire departments were among some regional fire services to receive wildland fire skids from GlobalMedic.
This year’s wildfire season in northwestern Ontario has shone a light on the challenges facing smaller fire departments, as volunteers do what they can with the limited resources at their disposal. Here’s how GlobalMedic is supporting those on the front lines to help them better protect their communities.
Mexico, Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, the Yukon, PEI, the Canadian Forest Service and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have also offered province-wide assistance.
Thunder Bay transitions to ‘enhanced monitoring’
The City of Thunder Bay moved from active emergency co-ordination to enhanced monitoring.
Residents are encouraged to take steps to reduce wildfire risk around their homes and properties by following FireSmart principles.
