Thunder Bay – Wildfire Update – There are two new fires, and 93 active fires across the region today. Three fires were declared out.
- There were two new fires confirmed in the Northwest Region by the late afternoon of August 22.
- Fort Frances 149 has been declared out at 0.1 hectares and was located near Eagle Rock Lake.
- Nipigon 79 is located approxmately 63 kilometres south of Marten Falls First Nation. The 0.5 hectare fire is not under control.
- At the time of this update there were 93 active fires in the northwest region. Eleven fires were not under control, four fires were being held, 14 fires were under control and 64 fires were being monitored. Three fires were called out today.
- The fire hazard is mainly low to moderate with areas of high hazard in the districts of Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Nipigon.
- To see the fire hazard near you, check the interactive fire map at Ontario.ca/forestfire
Kenora 51
- An additional 3-8mm of rain is expected in the fire area on Monday after precipitation amounts ranging from 30-50mm were recorded on various parts of the fire overnight on Friday and into Saturday.
- The rainfall, cooler temperatures and high relative humidity has reduced fire behaviour and the potential for new fire starts in the area.
- Crews have returned to the fire line, Sunday, after a pause in operations on Saturday due to safety concerns posed by high winds. They continue to consolidate hoselines in priority areas on both the east and west perimeters of the fire.
Red Lake 51 – 53,522 ha – being observed
- There has been over 100mm of rainfall recorded on this fire since August 1. No growth and no concerns.
Red Lake 65 –20, 254 ha – being observed
- There has been over 100mm of rainfall recorded on this fire since August 1. No growth and no concerns.
Red Lake 77 – 32, 799 ha – not under control
- Significantly reduced fire behaviour on the fire today due to recent rain.
Restricted Fire Zone in effect
Due to the high to extreme forest fire hazard, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is maintaining a Restricted Fire Zone in Kenora, Fort Frances, Thunder Bay (excluding Wabakimi Provincial Park) and Dryden Districts, and southern portions of Sioux Lookout and Red Lake Districts. The Restricted Fire Zone is in effect until further notice. Outdoor fires are banned. Portable gas stoves may still be used BUT must be handled with extreme care. You can learn more about Restricted Fire Zones here. For a more detailed boundary of the Restricted Fire Zone, consult the interactive fire map at Ontario.ca/forestfire or the map here.
Updated restrictions due to forest fire activity in the Red Lake District
Due to extreme forest fire activity, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Red Lake District advises that an updated Implementation Order is now in effect until further notice that restricts access and use of certain lakes, Provincial Parks, Conservation Reserves and Crown lands.
All access to the following areas is prohibited unless authorized by a travel permit issued by the Red Lake District NDMNRF.
All modes of travel/access onto Storey Lake, Philip Lake, Pringle Lake (including Dedicated Protected Areas), and the North shore of Nungesser Lake at RED 68 fire perimeter as well as Woodland Caribou Provincial Park, Eagle Snowshoe Conservation Reserve, Little Grand Rapids Protected Area, Lake Country, Protected Area and all Crown land as outlined in the hatched area identified on the Implementation order map are prohibited.
For information on travel permits call 807-727-1345.
To view a map of the implementation order area at ontario.ca/forestfire click here.
