Kenora 14 Wildfire Grows to 400 Hectares as Smoke Impacts Air Quality Across Northwest Ontario

THUNDER BAY – The Kenora 14 wildfire continues to burn out of control north of Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, now reaching 400 hectares in size. Crews are actively fighting the blaze, but heavy smoke is spreading across Northwestern Ontario, prompting air quality concerns for nearby communities.

As of the May 9, 2025 update from Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services, two new fires have been reported, with three active fires currently burning in the region.

Smoke Alert for Kenora Region and Beyond

Northwestern Ontario residents are being warned that smoke from the Kenora 14 fire—located about 12 kilometres north of Wabaseemoong and 60 kilometres northwest of Kenora—is being pushed southward by northwest winds, affecting local air quality.

Residents, particularly those with asthma, heart conditions, or respiratory issues, should take precautions. To monitor conditions in real time, visit FireSmoke.ca for live smoke and forecast maps. If you experience symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath, contact Telehealth Ontario at 811 for health support.

New Fires Reported on May 9

• Dryden 5 (DRY 005):
  Located about 2 km east of Elva Lake near Sturgeon Lake, this fire has grown to 100 hectares and remains not under control.

• Sioux Lookout 2 (SLK 002):
  Found 1 km east of Doghole Lake near Highway 599, this 0.1-hectare fire has been declared out.

Current Active Fires in Northwest Ontario

• Kenora 14 (KEN 014):
  Still not under control, burning near Caribou Falls Dam. There are 6 ground crews and 3 helicopters assigned.

• Dryden 2 (DRY 002):
  Approximately 6.6 km west/southwest of McIntosh, this fire covers 5.8 hectares and is also not under control.

Fire Hazard Levels Across the Region

• Extreme to High: Kenora, Fort Frances, Dryden

• High: Sioux Lookout, Red Lake

• Moderate to High: Thunder Bay, Nipigon

With hot, dry conditions prevailing, the public is urged to exercise extreme caution with outdoor burning and to follow any municipal fire bans or provincial restrictions.

Safety Reminders for the Public

Stay Clear of Waterbombers

If you’re boating, move close to shore to allow aircraft to safely scoop water. Interfering with aircraft can delay firefighting efforts.

No Drone Zone

Flying drones near active forest fires is illegal and extremely dangerous. Drones can endanger pilots and ground crews. Stay clear of any wildfire zones.

Report Wildfires Immediately

• North of French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE (3473)

• South of those rivers: Call 9-1-1

For a live view of wildfire activity and hazard levels, use the Ontario Interactive Fire Map.