THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE REPORTS – The wildfire situation in Northwestern Ontario continues to demand significant firefighting resources as dry conditions persist across large swaths of the region. As of the evening of June 27, one new wildfire has been confirmed, while major fires near Deer Lake and Cat Lake First Nations continue to dominate fire suppression efforts.
New Fire Activity
Red Lake 36 (RED036)
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Location: Approximately 3.5 kilometres north of Poplar Hill First Nation
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Size: 4.0 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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FireRanger crews and two waterbombers supported by a birddog aircraft were deployed Friday afternoon and evening to combat this fire. The quick response aims to contain the fire before it threatens nearby communities or critical infrastructure.
Active Fires Across the Northwest
There are currently 22 active wildland fires across the Northwest Fire Region:
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4 fires are not under control
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5 fires are under control
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13 fires are being observed
Fire Hazard Conditions
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Southern Sectors (Thunder Bay, Nipigon): Generally low to moderate hazard
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Northern and Western Sectors (Red Lake, Sioux Lookout): Increasing concern with high to extreme fire hazard levels due to persistent heat, wind, and dry fuels
Residents are advised to monitor the Ontario Wildfire Interactive Map for up-to-date information about hazards in their specific area.
Fires of Note
Red Lake 12 (RED012) – Near Deer Lake and Sandy Lake First Nations
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Size: 194,127 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Conditions: Fire behavior escalated Friday, with interior flare-ups including torching and intermittent crowning in isolated forested areas.
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Resources:
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28 FireRanger crews
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18 helicopters (including 4 heavy-lift helicopters with enhanced bucketing capability)
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Teams conducted active suppression, focusing on southern and eastern flanks.
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Weather Outlook: Rain is forecasted starting Saturday, with 5–10 mm expected. Additional rainfall is anticipated through Tuesday, which could aid suppression efforts but also cause unpredictable fire behavior shifts.
Sioux Lookout 18 (SLK018) – Cat Lake First Nation
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Size: 23,648 hectares
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Status: Not under control
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Current Behavior: Fire activity remained low Friday, though some smoke was visible due to nearby Sioux Lookout 30, a fire currently under observation.
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Suppression Activity:
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Crews worked 400 feet into the fire’s eastern perimeter, targeting hotspots
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Equipment slinging from helicopters continued to resupply crews operating near Cat Lake First Nation Airport
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Weather Outlook: A cold front is expected Saturday evening with 5–10 mm of precipitation forecasted, offering potential support for firefighting efforts.
Public Safety Notice: No Drone Zone
Drones near wildfires are not just illegal – they’re dangerous. Unauthorized flights can ground firefighting aircraft and delay suppression efforts, putting lives and property at risk. If you see a drone near a wildfire, report it immediately.
Report a Wildfire
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North of French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 310-FIRE
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South of French and Mattawa Rivers: Call 911
More Information
For real-time updates and educational resources, follow Ontario’s fire services on:
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Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter): @ONforestfires / @ONfeudeforet
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Or visit: Ontario.ca/fireupdates
