THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE – The Northwest Fire Region continues to see wildfire activity intensify, with four new wildfires confirmed as of the evening of Thursday, June 26, bringing the total number of active fires in the region to 23.
While two of the newly discovered fires have already been declared out, two others remain not under control, including one near Morson and another in the remote northeast near Moreau Lake.
New Fires Confirmed – June 26
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Red Lake 34 (RED034) – Located near Poplar Hill First Nation, this fire measured 0.1 hectares and has been called out.
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Red Lake 35 (RED035) – Burning approximately 1.4 km north of Moreau Lake and 10.5 km northeast of Sparling Lake, this 0.1-hectare fire is not under control and remains active in remote terrain.
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Fort Frances 17 (FOR017) – Located just 300 metres south of Dawson Trail Road near Whiskey Jack Trail in Quetico Provincial Park, this fire also measured 0.1 hectares and has been called out.
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Fort Frances 18 (FOR018) – This fire is located on an island southwest of Morson near Big Grassy River. It covers 0.5 hectares and is currently not under control.
Regional Fire Summary
Of the 23 active wildland fires in the Northwest Region:
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5 are not under control
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5 are under control
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13 are being observed
The wildland fire hazard remains high in the Far North, while the southern half of the region faces moderate fire risk. With continued warm temperatures and minimal precipitation, fire behaviour is expected to rise. Residents and those travelling in affected areas are urged to monitor local conditions via the Interactive Fire Hazard Map.
Fires of Note
Red Lake 12 (RED012) – Near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations
Still not under control, Red Lake 12 remains one of the largest and most complex wildfires in Ontario this season, burning across 194,127 hectares.
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Command of the fire was transitioned today to a Type 1 Incident Management Team, marking a new phase in the coordinated response.
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Clear skies and low humidity allowed for increased drying of forest fuels, causing smouldering and creeping fire activity to resume.
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Smoke visibility may increase as weather conditions intensify fire behaviour into Friday.
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A partial infrared scan conducted overnight on June 24 highlighted several hot zones, including:
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The Finger Lake peninsula northwest of Sandy Lake
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Areas southwest of Northwind Lake
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Southeastern edges near Kennedy Lake
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There are currently:
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29 FireRanger crews operating on three divisions of the fire’s southern and eastern flanks
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18 helicopters, including four heavy-lift aircraft, assisting with bucket suppression
Sioux Lookout 18 (SLK018) – Near Cat Lake First Nation
Also not under control, this large wildfire remains at 23,648 hectares and continues to pose risks to surrounding wilderness areas.
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Cat Lake recorded 27°C Thursday afternoon, continuing a drying trend in the region.
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Crews focused on hotspot patrols along the east perimeter, while helicopter slinging operations helped deliver essential equipment to support ground teams.
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Winds are expected to pick up on Friday, which may result in increased fire activity and visible smoke throughout the area.
Public Reminder: No Drone Zone
Flying drones near wildfires is not only illegal, it poses a direct threat to air crews and firefighters. Drone interference can shut down aerial operations, delaying critical suppression work and putting lives at risk.
Reporting Wildfires
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North of the French and Mattawa Rivers – Call 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of the French or Mattawa Rivers – Dial 9-1-1
Stay Updated
Follow Ontario’s wildfire agencies for official updates:
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@ONforestfires and @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)
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Visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates for maps, alerts, and fire status reports
