THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE – The wildfire situation in Northwest Ontario remains dynamic, with 22 active fires now burning across the region. Alison Bezubiak, Fire Information Officer for Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES), confirmed two new wildfires since June 15, and warned that current fire hazard conditions remain elevated throughout much of the region.
🔥 New Fires Reported
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Kenora 39 (KEN039) – This 1.7-hectare wildfire was confirmed on the evening of June 15, burning south of Dryberry Lake, roughly 15 km east of Highway 71. It remains not under control and is being closely monitored.
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Red Lake 21 (RED021) – Confirmed June 16, this 0.1-hectare blaze is situated 22 km north of Trout Lake near Atwood Bay. It is also not under control, though no immediate threats to nearby communities have been reported.
📊 Fire Activity Snapshot (As of June 16, 2025 – 20:40 CDT)
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Total active fires: 22
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7 not under control
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1 being held
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4 under control
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10 being observed
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The fire hazard across the Northwest Region remains predominantly high, with scattered areas of extreme hazard in the north and moderate zones closer to the southern and central sectors. AFFES urges all residents and travellers to consult the Interactive Fire Map for localized updates and Restricted Fire Zone information.
🔥 Fires of Note
Red Lake 12 (RED012) – Near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations
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No recent spread toward the nearby communities, though fire activity continues on the southern and eastern edges.
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The fire area received minimal rainfall today, offering little natural relief.
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Helicopter bucketing operations and ground crews are engaged in suppressing the fire’s flanks.
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Sprinkler systems and structural protections in Deer Lake and Sandy Lake have been completed and are now being fine-tuned for maximum effectiveness.
Nipigon 5 (NIP005) – Webequie First Nation
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This large-scale fire remains at 10,816 hectares and is still not under control.
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Crews are focusing on building hose lines along the northeast and southeast “fingers” of the fire.
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Only minimal smoke was observed today, indicating some stability, but suppression efforts continue.
Sioux Lookout 18 (SLK018) – Cat Lake First Nation
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First confirmed on June 7, this fire saw significant growth over the weekend and now spans an estimated 23,816 hectares.
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FireRanger crews are prioritizing values protection and establishing hose lines on the southwest side, closest to Cat Lake First Nation.
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The fire remains not under control, and communities are urged to remain alert for any further changes.
🚫 No Drone Zone Reminder
AFFES reminds the public that flying drones near active wildfires is both illegal and extremely hazardous. Unauthorized drone activity can interfere with aerial suppression efforts and endanger pilots and ground crews. Please respect airspace restrictions and keep a safe distance from all fire zones.
📞 Reporting Wildfires
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North of the French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of those rivers: Call 911
For the latest wildfire updates, prevention tips, and safety resources, follow @ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). You can also visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates for detailed information.
