Northwest Fire Region Update: 8 New Fires Emerge as Crews Battle Widespread Wildland Blazes

THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE REPORTS – June 6, 2025 | 21:26 CDT — Wildland fire activity continues to escalate across Northwestern Ontario as Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) report eight new fire starts as of Friday evening. With persistent high to extreme fire hazard levels across the region, crews are engaged in aggressive suppression efforts supported by aerial and ground resources.

🔥 New Fires – June 6 Overview

1. Sioux Lookout 15 (SLK015)

   • Location: Mishkeegogamang First Nation (24 km south of Pickle Lake)

   • Size: 0.1 hectares

   • Status: Under control

2. Kenora 36 (KEN036)

   • Location: South Narrow Lake near Hwy. 71 (5.2 km north of Sabaskong Bay 35D First Nation)

   • Size: 0.1 hectares

   • Status: Called out

3. Fort Frances 13 (FOR013)

   • Location: Near Schurg Lake, west of Hwy. 502 (47 km NE of Fort Frances)

   • Size: 0.3 hectares

   • Status: Being held

4. Red Lake 18 (RED018)

   • Location: Whitemud Lake (49 km east of Ear Falls)

   • Size: 16 hectares

   • Status: Not under control – Waterbombers deployed for aerial attack

5. Kenora 35 (KEN035)

   • Location: Island area within Obabikong First Nation

   • Size: 0.1 hectares

   • Status: Being held

6. Sioux Lookout 14 (SLK014)

   • Location: Near McCoy Lake (55 km southeast of Keewaywin First Nation)

   • Size: 28 hectares

   • Status: Being observed

7. Sioux Lookout 13 (SLK013)

   • Location: Also near McCoy Lake

   • Size: 50 hectares

   • Status: Being observed

8. Sioux Lookout 12 (SLK012)

   • Location: Near Pipestone River Provincial Park and Windigo Road (93 km north of Pickle Lake)

   • Size: 0.8 hectares

   • Status: Being held

Additionally, Sioux Lookout 11 (SLK011) was discovered on June 5 near Mullen Lake and Hwy. 642 (10 km east of Sioux Lookout). This 0.1-hectare fire has since been declared called out.

📊 Current Fire Situation – June 6

• Total Active Fires: 22

  • Not Under Control: 6

  • Being Held: 3

  • Under Control: 8

  • Being Observed: 5

• Fires Called Out (Last 24h): 5

The wildland fire hazard remains high to extreme throughout the Northwest Region. For updates on local fire hazards and boundaries of the Restricted Fire Zone, visit the AFFES Interactive Map.

🔥 Fires of Note

Red Lake 12 (RED012) – Deer Lake First Nation

• Size: 66,027 hectares

• Status: Not under control

• June 6 operations included:

  • Deployment of 9 helicopters for water bucket support

  • Ground crews installing hoselines and building containment lines

  • FireRangers working up to 100 feet inward from fire perimeter

  • New helipads established to improve logistics

  • Ongoing community protection and sprinkler system maintenance

Kenora 34 (KEN034) – Caribou Lake

• Size: Increased to 23 hectares

• Status: Not under control

• Suppression efforts:

  • Hoselines established by four FireRanger crews

  • Helicopter water drops contributing to fire suppression

Nipigon 5 (NIP005) – Webequie First Nation

• Size: 8,881 hectares

• Status: Not under control

• Current efforts:

  • Dense smoke reduced fire activity (“shading effect”)

  • Sprinkler systems on structures remain active

  • Crews establishing hoselines to link to natural water barriers

Kenora 20 (KEN020) – Ingolf & Wabaseemoong Area

• Size: 36,043 hectares (spanning Ontario and Manitoba)

• Status: Not under control

• Updates:

  • Western flank continues to demonstrate high fire activity

  • Dry, deep-burning conditions slowing progress

  • Weather system anticipated this weekend may offer relief

  • Incident Command will transition back to Kenora Fire Management HQ as of June 7

Kenora 14 (KEN014)

• Size: 1,607 hectares

• Status: Under control

• Crews are now working hot spots to secure final containment

📌 Implementation Orders & Safety Reminders

• Implementation Orders: Active for Kenora 20 and Kenora 14.
  Visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates for the latest on restrictions.

• Revoked Orders: Fort Frances 4 & Sioux Lookout 3

🚫 No Drone Zone

Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous and illegal. Unauthorized drone activity can disrupt aerial suppression and put crews at risk.

📞 Reporting Wildfires

• North of French/Mattawa Rivers: Dial 310-FIRE (3473)

• South of French/Mattawa Rivers: Dial 911