Eight Fires Under Observation After New 7-Hectare Start Near Peawanuck
THUNDER BAY – WILDFIRE UPDATE: Ontario’s Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) has added a single new blaze to the Northeast ledger: Cochrane 15 (COC015), a 7-hectare fire about 22 km northeast of Peawanuck. The fire is situated in remote muskeg terrain and is currently under observation—not threatening communities or critical infrastructure at this time.
No other starts were detected up to the evening cut-off on Saturday, July 12. The region’s active-fire tally now stands at eight, all of which remain in the “being observed” category.
Active Fires – Snapshot
| Count | Category | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Observed | Crews are monitoring for growth; no fires require full suppression today. |
🌡 Fire Hazard Conditions
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Low to Moderate: Central corridor (Sudbury, North Bay) after scattered rainfall.
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Moderate to High: Timmins, Chapleau, Cochrane districts and the James Bay coast, where fuels are drying.
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Localized High Pockets: North of Kapuskasing toward the Albany River basin.
Track live conditions via the Interactive Fire Hazard Map before travelling or burning outdoors.
FireSmart—Your First Line of Defence
Even an “observed” fire can change rapidly with wind and temperature shifts. Simple, low-cost FireSmart tasks make a difference:
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Rake needles and leaves away from structures.
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Trim tree limbs up two metres to slow ground-to-crown ignition.
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Store flammables (fuel, propane, firewood) at least 10 m from your home or cottage.
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Replace dry grass with gravel or stone around foundations for a non-combustible buffer.
More resources: Ontario.ca/FireSmart
Know the Outdoor Burning Rules
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Ignite no sooner than two hours before sunset; extinguish no later than two hours after sunrise.
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Keep water buckets, shovels or pumps on-site.
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Whenever possible, compost or landfill yard waste instead of burning.
Full regulations: Outdoor Burning Rules
Report Smoke or Flames Promptly
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North of French & Mattawa Rivers: 310-FIRE (3473)
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South of French & Mattawa Rivers: 9-1-1
Stay informed and fire-safe—follow AFFES on Facebook, Instagram, and X: @ONforestfires / @ONfeudeforet
Comprehensive provincial updates: www.ontario.ca/fireupdates
AFFES will issue further bulletins if conditions change or if any of the observed fires escalate. Enjoy the weekend responsibly and keep Northeastern Ontario wildfire-ready.
