Report Date: June 4, 2025 | Time: 20:30 CDT
By NetNewsLedger Wildfire Reporting Team
THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE — As wildfire season intensifies across Northwestern Ontario, Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) crews are responding to two new wildland fires and managing 15 active blazes across the Northwest Fire Region.
The region remains on high alert as fire danger levels range from high to extreme, with only scattered areas of moderate hazard in zones that have recently received precipitation. Communities near Fort Frances, Red Lake, Kenora, and Webequie First Nation continue to be impacted as crews race to control multiple large and complex fires.
🔥 New Fires Discovered – June 4, 2025
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Fort Frances 11 (FOR011):
Detected near Rocky Road, 57 kilometres south of Dryden by an AFFES birddog aircraft, this 3.0-hectare fire is currently not under control. Ground crews and aerial support are actively engaged. -
Fort Frances 10 (FOR010):
Found near Elsie Lake, approximately 30 kilometres south of Ignace, this 0.3-hectare fire was quickly actioned by FireRanger crews with support from waterbombers.
🔥 Current Wildfire Activity (As of 8:30 p.m., June 4)
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Total Active Fires: 15
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Fires Not Under Control: 7
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Fires Being Held: 1
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Fires Under Control: 5
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Fires Being Observed: 2
The full scope of active fire locations and hazard zones is available via the province’s Interactive Fire Map.
🚨 Fires of Note
🔥 Red Lake 12 (RED012) – Deer Lake First Nation
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Size: 65,186 hectares
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Status: Not Under Control
Helicopter flyovers on June 4 allowed for critical assessment of the fire’s head, where fire behaviour has lessened in intensity. Four helicopters were deployed for targeted water bucket operations while ground crews continue to reinforce a hoseline around the Deer Lake community.
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Community Protection: Sprinkler systems remain active around infrastructure and are monitored daily.
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Weather Outlook: Westerly winds will persist through Friday with a chance of precipitation over the weekend, offering a potential reprieve.
🔥 Kenora 34 (KEN034)
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Size: 18 hectares (adjusted after remapping)
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Status: Not Under Control
Four FireRanger crews successfully established hoselines, assisted by afternoon helicopter water bucket drops. The fire is showing good response to suppression efforts.
🔥 Nipigon 5 (NIP005) – Webequie First Nation
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Size: 8,881 hectares
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Status: Not Under Control
Although fire growth remained static on June 4, suppression crews noted reduced fire behaviour due to “shading” from western smoke drift. Seven FireRanger crews, supported by two helicopters, focused efforts on perimeter containment near Webequie, setting up sprinklers on at-risk structures.
Crews are preparing to deploy to a northern “finger” of the fire to prevent lateral spread.
🔥 Kenora 20 (KEN020) – Ingolf / Wabaseemoong
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Size: 36,039.2 hectares (cross-border with Manitoba)
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Status: Not Under Control
Heavy-lift helicopters focused on the northwest corner of this large cross-provincial fire, while ground crews worked the eastern flank, penetrating deeper into the fire’s interior.
🔥 Kenora 14 (KEN014)
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Size: 1,607 hectares
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Status: Under Control
Sufficient suppression efforts have brought this fire under control. Crews will now monitor the area for potential flare-ups.
🚧 Implementation Orders and Access Restrictions
Implementation Orders remain in effect for:
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Kenora 20
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Kenora 14
Revoked:
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Fort Frances 4
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Sioux Lookout 3
For full details and maps of restricted zones, visit Ontario Fire Updates.
✈️ NOTAM Advisory – Nipigon 5
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) remains active over Nipigon 5. This restricts all non-essential air traffic within 5 nautical miles and up to 3,000 feet above ground in the vicinity of the wildfire.
Pilots are reminded to check NavCanada’s Collaborative Flight Planning Services for current NOTAM details when preparing flight plans.
❗️No Drone Zone Reminder
Flying drones near forest fires is dangerous and strictly illegal. Unauthorized UAV activity risks the lives of air crews and firefighters. Always stay well clear of active wildland fire zones.
📞 Reporting Wildfires
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North of French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE
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South of French and Mattawa Rivers: Dial 9-1-1
For more information and real-time updates, visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates.
