Rain Eases Overall Hazard, but 52 Fires Remain Active—Including Several Large Blazes Near Remote First Nations
THUNDER BAY – 2025 WILDFIRE REPORT: Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) confirms one new wildfire in the Northwest Region on Friday, July 11, bringing the active-fire count to 52. While overnight rainfall tempered the fire hazard across much of the region, major fires in the Red Lake and Nipigon sectors continue to challenge crews.
New Fire – Sioux Lookout 56 (SLK056)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | East side of Fry Lake, ~26 km NE of Slate Falls First Nation |
| Size | 0.7 hectares |
| Status | Being held – containment lines holding under current weather |
| Status | Fires |
|---|---|
| Not under control | 16 |
| Being held | 2 (includes SLK056) |
| Under control | 6 |
| Being observed | 28 |
| Total active fires | 52 |
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Low–Moderate: Most of Fort Frances, Dryden, Thunder Bay sectors and far-northwest corner after widespread rain.
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High: Central & western Red Lake sector; central & eastern Nipigon sector remain dry.
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Extreme pockets: Persist in parts of Nipigon where rainfall was light.
Check local conditions: Interactive Hazard Map
Fires of Note & Community Impact
| Fire | Size | Community Proximity | Latest Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lake 62 | 26,404 ha | South of Pikangikum First Nation | 13 crews, heavy equipment & aircraft assigned. Drought driving deep-burn; Nungesser Road closed. Smoke curtailed air ops; NE perimeter active. |
| Red Lake 40 | 11,192 ha | South of North Spirit Lake FN | Sprinklers on critical infrastructure. 16 mm rain recorded nearby, but poor visibility limited flights. Crews poised to secure N flank. |
| Red Lake 67 (formerly 65/67/79) | 32,364 ha | SW of MacDowell Lake FN | Merged blaze remains out of control; IMT coordinating perimeter strategies. |
| Red Lake 68 | 15,089 ha | West of Cat Lake FN | Growth along eastern edge monitored; structure-protection kits staged. |
| Sioux Lookout 54 | 167 ha | ~6 km E of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake) FN | Hose lines and bucketing helicopters working priority sectors; fire still active. |
Incident Management Team (IMT) now in command of Red Lake 62 cluster—coordinating crews, equipment, logistics and community liaison.
Note: Heavy smoke continues to hamper mapping accuracy; sizes will be updated when visibility improves.
FireSmart—Protect Your Home, Camp or Business
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Clean roofs & gutters of needles and debris.
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Prune lower branches (2 m + clearance) to reduce ladder fuels.
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Move firewood & propane tanks >10 m from structures.
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Use gravel or stone next to buildings for a 1.5 m non-combustible zone.
Full resources: Ontario.ca/FireSmart
🚫 No-Drone Zone
Unauthorized drones endanger water-bombers and heli-attack crews. Flying a drone near a wildfire is illegal and can ground all aircraft—delaying suppression and risking lives. Keep drones well away.
📞 Report Wildfires Immediately
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North of French & Mattawa Rivers: 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of those rivers: 9-1-1
Real-time updates & prevention tips: @ONforestfires / @ONfeudeforet on Facebook, Instagram, X.
Full provincial situation reports: Ontario.ca/fireupdates
AFFES will issue further bulletins as weather shifts and suppression efforts evolve. Northern communities are urged to stay informed, follow local advisories, and practice extreme caution with any ignition sources.
