13 New Wildfires Saturday
THUNDER BAY – CLIMATE – A significant spike in fire activity was recorded in the Northwest Region on Saturday, June 28, with 13 new wildland fires confirmed:
Clustered near various First Nation communities and remote wilderness:
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Red Lake 37 & 38 (RED037, RED038): About 16.5 km NE of Pikangikum FN. RED037 held at 0.4 ha; RED038 not under control at 0.1 ha.
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Red Lake 39–43 (RED039–RED043): Multiple small fires between 0.1–0.3 ha located near Jack & Jill Lakes, McDowell, Tickner, Pedlar, and Naylor Lakes—most remain uncontained.
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Thunder Bay 19 (THU019): West side of Vivid Lake near Kopka River, 0.5 ha, not under control.
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Sioux Lookout 34–38 (SLK034–SLK038): Five new fires (0.1–0.5 ha) southeast of Weagamow Lake, currently uncontrolled.
🚨 Overall Fire Situation
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Total Active Fires: 33
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Not under control: 14
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Being held: 2
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Under control: 4
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Being observed: 13
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🌡 Hazard Levels
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Predominantly high hazard across most of the Northwest region
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Variable zones:
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Low–moderate hazard in the southeast and northwest corners
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Extreme hazard pockets around Red Lake and Sioux Lookout sectors
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Residents should stay informed by viewing the Northeast Ontario Wildfire Interactive Map for current hazard ratings.
🔍 Fires of Note
Red Lake 12 (RED012)
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Size: 194,127 hectares
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Status: Uncontained, but fire behaviour subdued due to rainfall across the fire zone
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Key Actions:
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Infrared scans detected hotspots north of Borland Lake and along the Finger Lake area before rain
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FireRanger crews (28 crews) with 18 helicopters (+4 heavy-lift units) patrolled and extinguished hotspots
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Pump-and-hose units actively worked on southern and eastern flanks all day
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Sioux Lookout 18 (SLK018) – near Cat Lake FN
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Size: 23,648 hectares
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Fire Behaviour: Minimal; rain and storms curbed fire activity
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Operations:
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FireRangers patrolled eastern flanks, extinguishing embers and monitoring heat zones
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Helicopters slinged in equipment to support crews on the west flank
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Weather: Warm, breezy day followed by cold front with thunderstorms in early evening. Expect more unsettled weather Sunday.
🎆 Canada Day Safety Reminder: Fireworks
With Canada Day celebrations underway, the risk of fireworks-related wildfires is high. Hot embers can ignite dry vegetation, and individuals can be held financially and legally responsible for ignition events. To stay safe and avoid liability, attend organized fireworks displays instead of using personal pyrotechnics.
🚁 No Drone Zone: A Safety Imperative
Drones endanger aerial firefighting aircraft. Unauthorized flights can compel planes and helicopters to abort missions and return to base—jeopardizing lives and safety. Report any drone use near wildfires immediately.
📞 Reporting a Wildfire
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North of the French & Mattawa Rivers: Call 310‑FIRE
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South of those Rivers: Dial 911
For ongoing updates and prevention advice, follow @ONforestfires or @ONfeudeforet on social media, or visit Ontario.ca/fireupdates.
